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TB£ AMERICAN mOLUIlOS. 

BY IRWIN MAnON, 

CABLI3LB, PKNN'A. 

Delivered before the Historical Meeting of 
the Hamilton Library Association, on 
Friday evening, October 18th, 1907. 
Reprinted Irom The Shippensbdbg News. 

Through the courtesy of Capt. Miller, 
there aie here this evening.two photo- 
graphs, representing an interesting link in 
the chain of events, connected with the his- 
tory of our Uebellion. One is a photograph 
of Gen. Meade's Corps Commanders, and 
the other, a party of distinguished French- 
men, who in company with Gen. Meade's 
Corps Commanders visited the battlefields 
of the Peninsula and Gettysburg in Oc- 
tober, 1890. 

At the close of the Kevolution in 1783, 
the "Society of the Cincinnati" was in- 
stituted by the heroes of that war, and at 
the close of the Rebellion, in 186.5, forty- 
two years ago, and eighty-two years after 
the society of the Cincinnati was organiz- 
ed, the heroes of that war, actuated by the 
same loyalty to the country, instituted the 
"Grand Army of the Republic." And at 
the close of my address, I shall, with your 
permission, have a word to say in explana- 
tion of this memorable gathering at Gettys- 
burg. In doing so, I will not detain you 
to exceed ten minutes. 

In attempting to cite instances from the 
literature of the American Revolution, the 
question of the dfcvelopment of American 
industries, naturally occupies an important 
place, and since it is impossible upon this 
occasion, to cover the entire field o( pro- 
gress along these lines, I will by way of 



L10-: 



illustration, coll a few facts from one of 
the greatest factors in American industrial 
life, iron and steel. 

Three hundred and twenty- five years 
ago, in 1582. Queen Elizabeth conceived a 
great liking for Sir Walter Baieigh, and as 
an evidence of her regard, gave him a 
giant of land on Wocoken Island, in North 
Carolina, and two years afterward, in 1584, 
he sent out Amidas and Arthur Barlow to 
investigate and report upon bis possessions 
in the New World. A learned historian, 
named Harriot, accompanied the expedi- 
tion, and he it was who reported the dis- 
covery of iron in America. Twenty-four 
years afterwards, 1608, the first ship load 
of American iron ore was sent to London, 
which when smelted, produced seventeen 
Tons of iron, worth $20 00 a ton, and the 
total value of the first year's bnsinbss was 
$340 00. From this small beginning, be- 
gan the great iron and steel industry of 
America. 

The first iron works was located sixty 
miles from Jamestown, near the James 
Biver, in Virginia. The settlement estab- 
lished was called "Falling Creek." In 
1622 it was destroyed by the Powhatan 
Indians, no one escaping with their life, 
but the son of John Berkley, the manager 
of the works. 

Twenty years afterwards, in 1642, the 
first colonial iion works was located in 
Lynn, Massachusetts, and for twenty-one 
years was supreme in its control of iron 
making in this country. So many special 
privileges were granted this company, that 
it was looked upon by the Puritans as in 
league with pirates, and they drove it out 
of business. 

John Jenks, of Lynn, Massachusetts, 
made the first saw mill, 'the first fire engine, 
the first wire, the first scythe, and the diea 



for the famous pine tree money, the earliest 
coinage minted in the Colonies. 

Captain Angustine Washington, and 
Mordeoai Lincoln, the great-great grand- 
father of Abraham Lincoln, were both iron 
workers in the early history of the conutry. 
Of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, George Taylor, Stephen Hop- 
kins, James Smith, and George Koss, were 
iron masters. 

Col. Ethan Allen, Gen. Phillip Benner, 
Col. James Chambers, Capt. Robert Cole- 
man, Col. Persifer Frazier, Major-General 
Nathaniel Greene, Col. Christopher Green- 
up, Col. Curtis Grubb, Col. Peter Grubb, 
Gen. James Irvine, Gen. Thomas Johnson, 
Gen. William Lewis, Col. Isaac Meeson, 
Col. Mathiot, Gen. Daniel Morgan, Gen. 
Kufus Putnam, Col. Paul Revere, Major 
Samuel M. Reynolds, Capt. William Rich- 
ards, Gen. Arthur St. Clair, Gen. William 
Alexander, Lord Sterling, Col. Joseph 

° Vaughn, Col. Wm. D. Waples, and Col. 

^» Gardiner H. Wright, were all trusted 

officers of General Washington, and were 
"from the Furnace and the Forge." 

The fit-Ht boiler plates made in this 
country after the close of the Revolution- 
ary War, were successfully manufactured 
by Mrs. Rebecca Lukins, of Coatesvilie, 
Pennsylvania. The boiler plat(S made by 
her, were used by George Stephenson in 
building the firs<t locomotive. 

One hundred and eighty-eight years ago, 
in 1719, England learned that there were 
six furnaces, and nineteen forges in Amer- 
ica, and at once British ironmasters de- 
manded of the government pruteotion of 
s\ their home interests against this competi- 

tion, and an act was passed of outlawry 
and confiscation against every English 
born skilled worker in the American Col- 
onies. So drastic were the measures taken 






by the English Government to destroy the 
iron indnstry of this country, and so de- 
termined were the iron workers of the Col- 
onies to make a success of their iron inter- 
ests, that Casson in his Romance of Steel, 
intimates that the "first blow of the Revo- 
lution was stuck, not by the sword of 
Bunker Hill, but by the tilting-hammers 
of the Colonial ironmasters." 

It is now just two hundred and ninety- 
nine years since the first ship load of 
American iron ore was sent to London, and 
the total value of the first year's business 
was $340 00. This was in 1608, and to- 
day, America has one organized iron and 
steel industry alone,— "The Uuitsd States 
Steel Corporation,"— that paid out in 
wages last year, one hundred and twenty- 
eight millons of dollars, and gives steady 
employment to one hundred and eighty 
thousand workmen, an organization that 
has been most generous in its prompt 
recognition in every department, of those 
in its employ worthy of consideration. In 
recognizing fidelity and ability, this cor- 
poration not only secured rapid success 
for itself, but made more young million- 
aires than any other single business in- 
stitution in the world. 

"There is no need of charcoal— air alone 
is f U£ 1," cried William Kelley, when watch- 
ing the "finery fire," in his Iron Works, 
near Eddyville, Kentucky, he saw a white 
hot spot in the yellow mass of molten 
metal, and air as fuel, and not charcoal 
became the creator of cheap steel, and 
America not only the leading nation of the 
world in its manufacture, but Kelly, an 
Irish-American from Pittsburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, the first inventor of "Bessemer 
Steel," and American industrial life, inde- 
pendent of the old world's favors. To the 
memory of such men justice should be 



done, M fftf M it can be dotte, by a jast 
and grateful conntry. 

In 1834, Daniel Webster in speakinf; in 
the United States Senate, of the revolt of 
the American Colonies, said: 

"On this question of principle, while 
actual sufferiiig was yet afar off, they 
raised their flag against a power to which, 
for purposes of foreign conquest and sub- 
jugation, Rome, in the heighth of her 
glory, is not to be compared ; a power 
which has dotted over the surface of the 
whole globe with her possessions and mili- 
tary posts, whose morning drum-beat, 
following the sun, and keeping company 
with the hours, circles the earth with one 
continous and unbroken strain of the 
martial airs of England." 

When the Eighteenth Century began, 
our flag on a frail standard was floating on 
the rim of the Eastern Sea. It was a 
strange new light, but did not much attract 
the eyes of the world. Warring Europe 
hardly raised its eyes to mark whether 
there was a significance in the new light 
or not. But it began to push its way west- 
ward and soon shone out from tbe crests 
of the Alleghenies and Blue Kidge. Then 
it began to shed light over the broad lands 
in the Country's central great valley. 
Suddenly it blazed out like a search light 
all up and down the Father of Waters. 
Then war came and the flag took on more 
vivid colors at Niagara, at New Orleans 
and from the foremast of the old "Consti- 
tution. " 

Strange new voices began to be heard 
through the heavy respiration of steam 
engines and the click of the telegraph. 
Cities began to appear and state after state 
rounded into form. In the meantime the 
forests were melting away and in their 
stead fair homes and fruitful flelds appear- 



fid, and every year the greetinga to the flag 
took on a deeper red and purer white as It 
flashed alonR the Rio Grande, up the Rooky 
Moantalns, over the City of Mexico, and 
In the land of Sunshine on the sunset sea. 
Then from that land a stream of gold 
began to flow eastward and the business of 
tbe East received a new Impetus, and In 
swifter flow and mightier volume the tide 
of immigration turned upon our shores. 

Then came another war, so terrible that 
the old flag went down under the canopies 
of Innumerable battles, millions of anxious 
souls wondered if indeed Its clestlal light 
was not going iuto final eclipse. 

But it emerged at last and under its new 
and purer light, it was seen that the chains 
of the slave had been melted away. 

Then came another war, m which the 
soldiers of the North and South, again 
hand in hand, took the sunshine and the 
storm of camp together and marched side 
by side under one flag, In one cause, and 
for one country. 

Since then Its splendor has Increased 
until it fills the world with light and sym- 
bolizing as It formerly did new privileges 
to men ; It has taken on sovereign propor- 
tions and flashes the certain truth, that 
liberty exalteth a nation and produces the 
highest types of men. 

Under that advancing flag a continent, 
yes, more than a continent has been re- 
deemed from barbarism and dedicated to 
civilization. Uader that flag the free 
school was born and has been extended 
until the sweetest greeting to this the New 
Century, was the singing of the children In 
those schools, which began In the East 
with the dawn and rolled on In unbroken 
chorus while the sun was making one- 
eighth of Its dally round. 
And all this and more is due to the work 



that onr fathers performed when they call- 
ed this nation into life and started it apon 
its upward way. They transmitted to us a 
nation on a new plan ; one that meant 
absolute freedom under the law; freedom 
of thought, of speech, of presn, religious, 
personal freedom, and the opening of every 
opportunity of this fair land to every one 
of Its children. And it is for us to keep it, 
and its great flag sacred, and transmit so 
great an inheritance with increased splen- 
dor and power to our children. 

The Honorable James Wilson, L. L. D., 
who for nine years, from 1789 to 1798, was 
one of the associate justices of the Supreme 
Court of the United States; and one 
hundred and seventeen years ago, in 1790, 
when the law professorship in the College 
of Philadelphia was created, was appoint- 
ed its first proressor, and in 1791, was 
selected by the general Assembly of Pen- 
nsylvania to revise and digest the laws of 
the Commonwealth, said, in speaking of 
the greatness of the work accomplished by 
the Fathers of our Country. 

"In the European temple of fame, Wil- 
liam Penn is placed by the side of Lycur- 
gae; Will America refuse a temple to her 
patriots and her heroesT No, she will not. 
The gierious dome already rises. Its 
architecture is of the neatest and chastest 
order; its dimensions are spacious; its 
proportions are elegant and correct. In 
its trout a number of nicdes are formed. 
In some of them statues are placed. On 
the left hand of the portal, are the names 
and figures of Warreu, Montgomery, Mer- 
cer. Oa the right hand, are the names 
and figures of Calvert, Penn, Franklin. In 
the middle, is a niche of laiger size, and 
decorated witb peculiar ornaments. On 
the left aide of it, are sculptured the 
trophies of war; ou the right, the more 



precioDs emblem of peace. Abote it, is 
represented the rising glory of the United 
States. It is without a statue and without 
a name. Beneath it in letters very legible, 
are these words,— '-For the Most Worthy.' 
By the enraptured voice of grateful Amer- 
ica—with the consenting plaudits of an 
admiring world, the designation is unani- 
mously made, bate very late may the 
niche be filled." 

James Wilson was born in Pennsylvania 
in 1742, and died with honors bright 
around him in 1798, in the 56th year of 
his age. 

la beholding the monuments, statues 
and pictures of ihustrious men ; in honor- 
ing and holding in close aflecionate remem- 
brance the names and achievements of 
of those whose valor made us free, or by 
whose wisdom we may become wise; of 
the heroes of our own country; of the 
patriots of our own history; of the sages 
and men of genius of all countries; of the 
heroes of humanity; of the benefactors of 
the human race, surrounded as they are 
with the venerable forms of the wisest and 
best of the world's sons, gives form and 
life to the truest and best perception of 
duty and loyalty, keeping constantly be- 
fore us the sacred image of our country. 

In speaking of men who did a good day's 
work in the struggle for American Inde- 
pendence, and laid the foundation upon 
which the great Commonwealth of Pennsyl- 
vania has been built, especially those 
brave spirits whose lives were closely 
associated with the breaking of the wilder- 
ness of this beautiful valley, the mention- 
ing of a few facts, even though they be an 
old story, connected with its early hifatory, 
may not prove uninteresting. 

The great valley, of which the Cumber- 
land Valley of Pennsylvania forma « part, 



James Wilson was lK)rii near St. Andrews, Scotland, Sept. 14, 1742; crai- 
g' iated to America 1765; settled in Pennsylvania; read law with John Dickinson; began to 
P'iactlce first at Reading, and then at Carlisle; member of Continent^xl Congress; signer of 
D Bclaration of Independence; member of the United States Constitutional Convention, 1787; 
Jv^stice of the supreme Cov.rt of United States, 17S9-1798; died at Edcnton, North Carolina. 
A ing. 28t.h,1798. 



m 



extends nnder different names, from the 
southern extremity of Vermont, across the 
HndHon at Newbnrg, the Delaware at 
Easton, the Sasqnehanna at Harrisbure, 
the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and the 
James at Lynchburg, then sweeps around 
through Tennessee, and is lost in Alabama 
and the south west. It rests between two 
chains of the great Appalachian Kange, 
running from the Northeast to the South- 
west, and touch it where you may, you find 
it one of America's most charming attrac- 
tions. 

It IS stated by those who claim to have 
investigated the subject, that "while many 
Indians of many tribes roamed through 
the Cumberland Valley, while on the war 
pttth or the hunt, it never was a favorite 
abiding place of the Bed Man." It seems, 
however, to have been the home, (begin- 
ning with the year 1720, when James Le 
Tort, a French tSwiss, acting as an Indian 
interpreter and messenger for the Govern- 
ment, built his o&bin, at "Beaver Fond," 
near where Carlisle now stands), of many 
great, good and brave men ; men who, 
whether in legislative halls, the field or the 
forum, proved their ability to measure 
steel with the brigbtest, the bravest, and 
the best blood of other and older lands. 

James Le Tort, it is said, was the first 
settlur in this section of the Cumberland 
Valley; Tobias Hendricks the next, in or 
about 1725, then Andrew Balston, in 1728, 
with one son and two daughters, took up 
his abode near "Big Spring." 

In 1726, James, Robert, Joseph and 
Benjamin Chambers reached Pbiiadelphia. 
Their first homa in this country was at the 
mouth of "Fishing; Creek," on the east 
bank of the Susquehanna River, a few 
miles above Uarrisburg. They could not 
resibt the charms of the Cumberland Valley 



10 

however, and in 1730, crossed the river, 
although the Valley was not then legally 
open for settlement, nor was it nntil the 
purchase of 1736. Blumston, William 
Penn's land agent, issued squatters' 
licenses, and the Chambers brothers here 
established their permanent homes. James 
located at the head of "Green Spring," 
near Newville; Robert at the head of 
"Middle Spring," near Shippensburg, and 
Joseph and . Benjamin at "Falling 
Spring," and here laid out Chambersburg, 
one of the most beautiful and enterprising 
towns to be found anywhere in this region 
of many and varied attractions and advant- 
ages. 

Forty five years after Joseph and Ben- 
jamin Chambers settled at "Falling 
Spring," and twenty five years after 
Cumberland County was established, and 
two years after the inhabitants of Boston 
threw ship loads of tea into the harbor 
rather than pay an obnoxious duty, and 
one year after the Boston Post Bill deprived 
Boston of its commercial riglits, and the 
Massachusetts Government Bill, took away 
from the colony the ordinary political 
liberties of Englishmen, and two months 
and a half after the first skirmish of the 
inevitable war of the Revolution was 
fougW at Lexington, and one year before 
the Thirteen Colonies united in the Con- 
gress, that issued the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and England put forth all its 
strength to beat down resistance, increas- 
ing her armies with hirelings bought from 
German Princes, one morning in the month 
of July, 1775, a drum beat was heard in 
the streets of Carlisle. It was the an- 
nouncement of the arrival of Captain 
James Chambers and his company of rifle- 
men on their way to Cambridge, where 
they were one of the nine companies from 



11 

Pennsylvania formed into the battalion 
comanded by Col. Wm. Tbompson. The 
companies were hU from the back parts of 
the province, and were known as Col. 
Thompson's battalion of hardy moantain- 
eer riflemen. They were a remarkable 
body of magnificent marksmen, celebrated 
for the accuracy of their aim; striking with 
great certainty, at a distance of two hund- 
red yards, an object of seven inches in 
diameter. 

Captain James Chambers was the son of 
Col. Benjamin Chambers, and was pro- 
moted for his bravery in the Long Island 
Campaign to Lieutenant Colonel First 
Continental Infantry, March 7, 1776; Col- 
onel of the 10th Penna., March 12, 1777, to 
rank from September 28, 1776; transfer- 
red to iHt Penna., April 12, 1777; wounded 
at Brandywine, September 11, 1777, and 
retired from the Army, January 17, 1781. 
So much can be said of this distinguished 
and patriotic family, that 1 must leave it 
here for others more competent to handle 
in detail, and I know of no one belter armed 
and equipped for that service than the 
Vice President of your Historical Society, 
Mr. J. Zeamer, of Carlisle. 

Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester were 
the first three counties organized in Penn- 
sylvania, and they were formed in 1682. 
Then came Lancaster in 1729. Then York 
in 1749, and one year afterward, on the 
27th day of January, 1750, Cumberland, 
the 6th County, took its place on the map 
of the "Old Keystone" State. In 1751, 
the borough of Carlisle was laid out by 
Nicholas Scull, assisted by George Steven- 
son, L L D., and on the 23rd day of July, 
1751, the first Justice Court was held 
within its limits, and in 1755, George 
Stevenson, who was then a resident of 
York, Penna , was appointed under the 



1& 

reign of George II, Judge of the Conntles 
of York and Cumberland. In 1769, he 
settled in Carlisle, and for twenty-four 
years was a leading member of the bar. 
His wife was Mrs. Mary Cookson, sister of 
General William Tbompson, and widow of 
Thomas Cookson, a distinguished Lawyer 
ot Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pa. 

The three and a half story brick house, 
two doors below the residence of William 
M. Henderson, on North Hanover Street, 
and now occupied by the Carlisle Civic 
Club, an enterprising organization that 
has, under the management of Mrs. Gert- 
rude Bosler Biddle, accomplished so much 
good in the interests of the Borough, and 
was for so many years used as a private 
boarding house by Miss Barbara Egolf, 
was in the early days a 2^ story stone 
building and was built by Dr. George Stev- 
enson for his mother, after the death of his 
father. Judge Stevenson, and was where 
General George W^ashington was enter- 
tained when in Carlisle by Mrs. Stevenson. 
Judge Stevenson had one son, and three 
daughters. Major George Stevenson, a 
prominent physician and surgeon ; Nancy, 
the wife of John Holmes, a leading mer- 
chant of Baltimore, Md. ; Katherine, the 
wife of General John Wilkins of Pitts- 
burgh, and Mary, the wife of Dr. James 
Armstrong, the son of the hero of Kitan- 
ning. 

Major Stevenson was twice married, his 
first wife, by whom he had eight children, 
was a Miss Holmes of Pittsburgh, and his 
second wife, who was a Miss Barker of 
Delaware, favored him with twelve, mak- 
ing twenty in all. His daughter Jane was 
the wife of the Hon. James W. Marshall, 
for many years Professor of Ancient Lan- 
guages in Dickinson College, and in 1861, 
was appointed by President Lincoln Unit- 



13 

ed States Consnl at Leeds, England, and 
in 1869 be was appointed First Assistant 
Post-Master General by General Grant. 
She «vas descended on her mother's side, 
(who was, as I have stated, Miss Barker 
of Delaware) from General Thomas Col- 
lins, one of the Revolationary Committee 
of Safety of that State. And her father, 
Major George Stevenson was a Kevola- 
tionary Officer at Valley Forge and fought 
at Brandywine. He was a personal friend 
ot Washington and Lafayette, and one of 
the founders of the Society of the Cincin- 
nati. 

When the Hessians made their attack at 
Chad's Ford, and crossed the Forks of 
Brandywine Creek, forcing the patriots' 
right, under General Sullivan to give way, 
and our army to retreat, so perfect was 
the order maintained, that in twenty three 
days afterward, on October 4th, 1777, 
Washington made a sudden attack on Gen- 
eral Howe's position at Germantown, but 
owing to a heavy fog, his forces became 
confused, and were driven back with 
heavy loss. This defeat gave the British 
possession of Philadelphia, forcing the 
American Army into winter quarters at 
Valley Forge. The troops were without 
shoes, and the snow was stained with the 
marks of their bleeding feet. The time 
was a critical one for the nation. There 
was no money with which to pay the 
troops, but dark as the hour was, it was 
not dark enough to destroy the patriotism 
of Robert Morris of Philadelphia, who, 
realizing the necessities of the occasion, 
raissd large sums of money for the govern- 
ment on his personal credit, and among 
those who contributed to the limit of his 
ability to this fund, was Major George 
Stevenson. 

The late Dr. Thomas Collins SteveuBon, 



14 

of Carlisle, was Mrs. Marshall's brother. 
He married Miss Eliza Duncan, of Pitts- 
burgh, and was the father of eight chil- 
dren, namely, George, Raymond, Duncan, 
Sarah, Maria, Barker, Jane and Katherine, 
all of whom are dead, excepting Maria 
Barker, wife of Irwin Mahon, and Kathe- 
rine, wife of Adam Kellar, Cashier for 
more than twenty-five years, of the Car- 
lisle Deposit Bank. 

Mrs. Kellar has in her possession many 
interesting Revolutionary relics, that be- 
longed to her Grandfather Major Geerge 
Stevenson, and among them a plan of the 
Battle of Brandywine drawn by him, a 
duplicate of which he presented to Gen'l 
Lafayette on the occasion of his visit to 
the battle field in September, 1825, eighty- 
two years ago. Major Stevenson was a 
Lieutenant in the Ist Penna. Regiment at 
that battle, and greatly signalized himself 
by rescuing and drawing off a piece of 
artillery, (in a shower of cannester and 
grape) abandoned by Captain Courtney. 
The location of this piece of artillery is 
marked on the chart. 

On the occasion of the celebration of 
the anniversary of this battle, General 
Lafayette's son, George, rode with Major 
Stevenson in his barouche to the battle 
ground, and the committee of escort 
brought General Lafayette to Major Stev- 
enson's house at Wilmington, Delaware, 
where he then resided, and where the 
entire party lunched. 

By permission of Mrs. Keller, I have 
had a photograph taken of Major Steven- 
son's plan of the Battle of the Brandy- 
wine, and take pleasure in presenting 
same to your Society. 

Judge George Stevenson, the father of 
Major George Stevenson was born in 
Dublin, Ireland, in 1718, educated at 



15 

Trinity ColleRe, and emiRranted to Ameri- 
ca about the middle of the century. He 
was not only a lawyer by profession, but 
also a practical surveyor, and soon after 
reaching this country was appointed de- 
puty surveyor general, under Nicholas 
Scull, and placed in charge of the three 
lower Counties on the Delaware, then 
known as the "Territory of Pennsylvania," 
and secured by William Penn from the 
Duke of York in 1682. 

He died in Carlisle in 1783, and his 
widow, eight years afterward, in 1791. 
Much of his correspondence is on file in 
the Colonial Records, and the Archives of 
Pennsylvania. 

The men who laid the foundation, and 
accomplished so much in the development 
of Carlisle and the Cumberland Valley, 
were men possessed of strong minds, and 
iron constitutions, with great enterprise, 
perserveranco and unshaken courage. 
The memory and example of such men 
should be held by every loyal citizen, aa 
among their most precious possessions, 
and their names more and more honored 
with the lapse of time. 

Early as the day was in the history of 
this valley, they were ready to and did 
uphold and strengthen the hands of the 
patriots who made the first advance to- 
wards a continental union in Massachu- 
setts, in 176.'), and endorsed the delegates 
from the nine provinces that assembled iu 
New York and a^rreed to a declaration of 
rights, and a statement of grievances, in 
October of that same year. 

Call it, if you please, the vagaries of an 
enthusiast, but there is no place in the 
United Statfro of North America that has 
more of intense interest, revolutionary and 
otherwise, than the charming Cumberland 
Valley. Wiite up its history in detail, 



giving credit where credit is doe, and the 
eyes of the world will be opened up to the 
trntb of this statement as they have never 
been before. 

Thirty-one years previous to 1765, in 
1734, one hundred and seventy three years 
ago, and sixteen years prior to the organ- 
ization of Cumberland County, Pennsyl- 
vania, and seveateeu years after the 
Borough of Carlisle was established, the 
trial and acquittal of Peter Zmger, was 
declared by the people to be "The Morn- 
ing Star," of the Amesican Revolution, 
and twenty- SIX years afterwards in 1760, 
so earnest was James Ocis in his defence 
of the cause of the people, that he was 
proclaimed "A Flame of Fire," and John 
Adams said, "In him was born American 
Independence." 

Dickens, in his writings says, "It is an 
exquisite and beautiful thing in our nature, 
that when the heart is touched and soft 
ened by some tranquil happiness or affec- 
tionate feelings, the memory of the dead 
comes over it most powerfully and irresis- 
tibly. It would seem as though our better 
thoughts and sympathies were claims, in 
virtue of which the soul is enabled to hold 
some vague and mysterous intercourse 
with the spirits of those we dearly loved 
in life." 

In paying tribute of admiration to, and 
love for the memory of the men who were 
engaged in the great work of establishing 
a free republic, and in keeping alive from 
one generation to another through the 
ages, their names and their achievements, 
is no idle thought, but the keeping alive 
in the hearts of all true Americans, that 
spirit of patriotic devotion, that is the 
real quickening power, that will ever 
kindle the flame of sacred love of country 
and our country's best interests. 



IT 

la models of patriotism, public virtae 
and splendid achievements, Pennsylvania 
was most fraitfol, beginnio^; at the time, 
two hundred and twenty five years ago, 
when the fine associations and generous 
sympathies of William Penn and his fol- 
lowers met, on the broad pathway of good 
faith and good will, the savage chiefs of 
the American wilderness. 

In the history of the world there is no 
instance where love of country has been 
tixhibited in bolder deeds than by those 
who carried us through the struggle for in- 
dependence. The battles which were 
fought employed but few persons it is true, 
compared with the immense armies brought 
into the fields by more recent warfare; 
but then the stake for which they contend- 
ed was of such magnitude that the present 
political condition of the civilized world 
can be traced up to its being won. 

Great is our wealth, -great is our domain,- 
bat greater than these, and of more im- 
portance than all of them is our intellectual 
and moral advance, our conscientious 
citizenship, our love of home and country — 
the dominant cord in American life. 

The facility with which the patriots of 
the American Kevolution passed from the 
excitement and turbulance of war to the 
cultivation cf the arts of peace, is one of 
the most n-markable of the numerous ex 
cellenciee for which they were cotispicu 
ous. They did not merely convert weapons 
of warfare into implements of agriculture. 
They displayed in civil oecnpations those 
exalted intellectual qualities which are 
Qf^ually the growth of peaceful nurture, 
but which in them seemed to spricg op 
spontaneously, in defiance of adverse cir- 
cumstances and perilous commotions. 
Perhaps the very concussions of society 
may have elicited the sparks of genius 



18- 

which otherwise would have Iain inert, and 
never have been brought into existence. 

Whatever may be the temporary applause 
of man, or the expressions of public opin- 
ion, it may be asserted without fear of 
contradiction, that no true and permanent 
fame can be founded, except in labors 
which promise the happiness of mankind. 

Honor and fame are the legitimate re- 
ward ot virtue and talent. Like wealth, 
they may be sometimes unwisely bestow- 
ed; but when yielded to merit or won by 
industry, they hang like a graceful robe on 
their wearer, imparting dignity and com- 
manding respect. Beneficently placed 
within the reach of all, they appear like 
trophies to be won and worn by tnose who 
successfully contend against indolence and 
vice, and it is of rare occurance in the 
history of any country, that superior men- 
tal attainments, in alliance with moral 
worth, judiciously directed and activity 
employed, have failed in their attainment. 
A new attestation of this universal truth 
will be found in the history of the heroes 
of Pennsylvania before, during and after 
the revolutionary war, and the war of 1812. 
I only wish it were possible at this time, 
and upon this occasion to make special 
meiitiou by name of all her brave sons. 

Among the many brave and distinguish- 
ed oflieers of the Revolution was Colonel 
John Edgar Howard, born in Baltimore 
county, Maryland, June 4cb, 1752, and 
died October 12th 1827. 

Not only because of the beauty of the 
thought, but because of the patriotic sen- 
timent contained in it, 1 am tempted to 
quote a portion of an obituary notice writ- 
ten at the time of his death, by a celebrat- 
ed dignitary of the Catholic Church. 

"One after another the stars of our rev- 
olutionary firmauent are siuking below the 



19 

horizon. They rise io another hemis- 
phere as they set to us; and the youth of 
other times will gaze upon their luster as 
he learns thoir names and marks them 
clustering into constellatioos, which will 
recall to his mind some interesting event 
of our period of struggle." 

It was a period of struggle and great 
events, the breaking of the wilderness of 
this young republic, and as the mighty 
monarchs of the forest thundered their 
protest as they fell, their appeal was un- 
heeded ; the fires were lit, and the winding 
sheet of gray ash lent an added richness to 
the golden harvests which have since fed 
the world. 

Oar patriots in their progress to inde- 
pendence, successfully encountered many 
formidable obstacles. There were times 
when the stoutest hearts began to falter. 
Ooe of these was in 1777 when the Conti- 
nental Congress adjourned from Philadel- 
phia to Lancaster. When the resolution 
to adjourn to Lancaster was pat^sed there 
were but twenty-eight members present. 
The feeling generally among them was, 
that the chance was desperate; the cause 
a hopeless one, but the spirit of inspiration, 
freedom, still held the lines in the person 
of Samuel Adams, who was one among 
those who were cheerful and undismayed 
at the aspect of affairs, and after his 
friends had given expression to the des- 
ponding feelings of their hearts, at ooce 
replied, — ' Gentlemen, your spirits appear 
to be heavily oppressed with our public 
calamities. 1 hope you do not despair of 
our final success. Our cause is just and 
righteous, and we shall never be abandon- 
ed by Heaven while we show ourselves 
worthy of its aid and protection.'' 

No man was more intrepid and dauntless 
when enoompasoed by dangers, or mure 



9» 

calm and nnmoved amid public disastera 
and .adverse fortune. His bold and dar- 
ing conduct and language subjected him 
to great personal hazard. Had any fatal 
event occurred to our country by which she 
had fallen in her struggle for liberty, 
Samuel Adams would have been the first 
victim of ministerial vengeance. His 
blood would have been first shed as a sac- 
rifice on the altar of tyranny, for the noble 
magnanimity and independence with 
which he defended the cause of freedom. 

"Great things are almost always done 
without our knowing how we have done 
them, and we are quite surprised that we 
have done them. Ask Caesar how he made 
himself master of the world; perhaps he 
would find it difficult to answer you." 

The litertature of the revolution is a 
proud enough field for any American lo 
contemplate. It is filled with noble senti 
ments, lofty patriotism, untainted virtue 
and wisdom, which seems to combine all 
that is essential for the protection of human 
freedom. There is a rich vein of eloquence 
irrigating its teemiug soil, which the proud- 
est and moat cultivated nations of the 
earth might exult to call their own, and it 
there is a passion stronger than all others 
in the heart of a true American, it is the 
one that stands ever ready to devote itself 
to its country's service. 

One hundred and nineteen years ago, on 
the 4th day of July 1778, the first oration 
on the Anniversary of American Independ- 
ence was delivered in the City of Charles- 
ton, South Carolina, by Dr. David Ramsay, 
who then and there declared that our form 
of government was in every way prefer- 
able to the royal one lately renounced. It 
promoted knowledge ; called into exercise 
the active energies of the human soul; 
brought forward modeat merit ; destroyed 



21 

laxary and established simplicity in the 
manner and habits of the people, and pro- 
moted the cause of virtue and religion. 

Dr. David Bamsay was a son of the 
"Old Keystone State." He was born April 
2nd. 1749, in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Among the many accomplished, fearless 
and patriotic men of the great Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, whom tne nation 
delighted to honor and who reaped the 
reward of her constancy was John Uiokin- 
800, although born in Maryland oathe 2ad 
day of November, 1732, he became a citizen 
of this state, read law under John Moland 
or Philadelphia, wnere on his return from 
England he estalished himself in the prac- 
tice of his profession. His ability and 
eloquence at once placed him, at the head 
of the list of the State's represeutaiive 
men. 

On the 11th. of September, 1765, he was 
appointed a delegate to a general congress 
which assembled at New York in the fol 
lowing month, and was the author of the 
resolution of that body, promulgating their 
hostility to the measures of Great Britain, 
and the principles which they eoasiJered 
as inherent in tneir system of government. 
During this same year, 1765, he commenc- 
ed his compositions against the aggress- 
ions of England and continued them witu 
vigor and striking effect unti. tao clo.<e of 
the conflict. He it was who wiote the 
twelve " Farmers L<jtters" to tne inhabi- 
tants ot tne British Colonies, portrayiugin 
language distinguished tor purity of diction 
and eloquence of composition, the uncon- 
stitutionality of the conduct of Great 
Britian, the imminent peril to American 
liberty which existed, and the fatal coose- 
qoences of a supine acquiescence in minis- 
terial measares, more fatal as precedents 



22 

than by the immediate calamities they 
were calculated to produce, (just as Presi- 
dent Roosevelt in 1907, in warning the 
people of the Uuited States against the 
unconstitutionality of some of our modern 
business methods), so John Dickinson in 
these letters in 1767, one hundred and 
forty years ago, warned the inhabitants of 
ihe British Colonies of the unconstitution- 
ality of the conduct of Great Britian, and 
they were read with intense interest and 
produced the effect, not merely of enlight- 
ening the public mind, but of exciting the 
feelings of the people to a determination 
aot to submit to the oppressive actions of 
the Mother Country. 

It was John Dickinson who wrote in the 
declaration of Congress July 6ih, 1775, 
"we have counted tne cost of this contest 
and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary 
slavery. Honor, justice ond humanity 
forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom 
which we received from our gallant ances- 
tors, and which our innocent posterity 
have a right to receive from us. We can- 
not endure the infamy and guilt of resign- 
ing succeeding generations to that wretch- 
edness which inevitably awaits them if we 
basely entail hereditary bondage upon 
them." 

It was John Dickinson who said before 
Congress in 1779,— "Two rules have I laid 
down for myself thiougdout this contest. 
First, — on all occasions where I am called 
npon as a trustee for my countrymen, to 
deliberate on questions important to other's 
happiness, disdaining all personal advan- 
tages to be derived from a suppression of 
my real sentiments, and defying all dang- 
ers to be risked by a declaration of them, 
openly to avow them; and secondly,— after 
thus discharging this duty, whenever the 
public resolutions are taken, to regard 



tbem, tboagb opposite to my opinion, as 
sacred, because tbey lead to pub lie 
measares in wbicb tbe common weal moat 
be interested, and to join in supporting 
tbem as earnestly, as it my voice bad been 
given for tbem. If tbe present day is too 
warm for me to be calmly judged, I can 
credit my country for justice some years 
hence," 

Tbe Revolution would have been delay- 
ed fifty years, bad it not been for Harvard 
College. Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, 
William and Mary, helped to make tbe 
Declaration of Indepeudence and tbe Con- 
BCitution tbe great documents they are. 

Three of tbe five men who drafted the 
Declaration of Indepeodenee, were college 
graduates, and twenty-nine of the fitty- 
five members of the convention of 1787 
were college bred. Nine were trained at 
Princeton; five at William and Mary; four 
at Yale ;tbree at Haivard ; two at Columbia, 
and the Universities of Pennsylvania, Ox- 
ford, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and 
Aberdeen each sent one. 

Recognizing that higher education was 
of the greatest importance to the people of 
a free republic, elevating their moral 
character; increasing their earning powers 
and their power as good citizens. John 
Dickinson was as lojul to tbe people on 
this question of eductitioo, as he was in all 
things to which his name was ever at- 
tached, 

The Act of Assembly incorporating a 
college to be established in the historic 
borough of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, happily 
perpetuates the remembrance of nis muni- 
fioient patronage of learning, as well as 
tbe public sense of bis exalted merit. It 
declares, that "In memory of the great and 
important services to bis country by his 
exoellenoy, John Dickinson, Esq., 



24 

President of the Sapreme Executive 
Council, and in commemoration of his very 
liberal donation to the Institution, the said 
college shall be forever hereafter called 
and known by the name of Dickinson Col- 
lege." 

It was General Tnomas Mifflin, who 
when the news of the battle of Lexington, 
April 18th, 1775, was received, said, '-Let 
na not be bold in declaration and after- 
wards cold in action. Let not the patri- 
otic feeling of to-day be forgotten to-mor- 
row; nor have it said of Philadelphia, that 
she passed noble resolutions, slept upon 
thsm and afterwards neglected them," 
and in the fall of 1776, when the people 
were becoming weary, diseonteuted and 
disheartened with a contest in which they 
no longer saw any hope of success, and 
the army was melting away, it was Gen- 
eral Thomas Mifflin, afterwards Govenor 
of Pennsylvania, who was selected to ap- 
peal to the patriotism and honorable feel, 
ings of the people of Pennsylvania, exhort 
and rouse the militia to come forth iu 
defence of the country. In 1783 he was 
appointed by the legislature of the state, a 
member of Cougre-ss, and in the fall of the 
same year, he was selected as its president, 
and 88 president of this illustrious body of 
American patriots, he it was, that received 
trom General Washington the resignation 
of his commission as Commander in-chief 
of the American Army. 

In 1787 the great Convention assembled 
in Philadelphia to frame a government for 
the United States, which should "form a 
more perfect union, establish justice, en- 
sure domestic tranquility, provide for the 
common defence, promote the general 
welfare and secure the blessings of liberty 
to ourselves and our posterity." A more 
dignified and bolemu trnst was never com- 



96 

mitted to haman ageocy. The destinies 
of a great empire, of millions of iiuman 
beings were placed in their hands, and 
never was a trust more faithfully, more 
wisely, more successfully performed. In 
this great and honorable assembly General 
Mifflin with Benjamin Franklin, Robert 
Morris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsim- 
mons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson and 
Gouverneur Morris represented Pennsyl- 
vania. In 1794 an insurrection broke out 
In some of the western connties of the 
state, and on the call of the President, 
Guverner Mifflin marched at the head of 
the quota of Militia demanded of Penn- 
sylvania, and served under General Lee, 
the Governor of Virginia, although the 
service to be performed was in Governor 
Mifflin's own Stale. 

Benjamin Franklin too, furnished many, 
very many conspicuous examples of his 
devotion to liberty. In 1776 when with 
John Adams and Edward Rutledge he was 
appointed to hear certain propositions of 
English Commissioners who came to 
America, to propose terms of accommoda- 
tion or rather "offer pardon upon bubmis- 
sion," to Congress, Lord Howe, the chief 
of the embassy tried to iuflaence Franklin 
to promote the object of the king's pater- 
nal solicitude, bntFranklin nobly stood his 
ground, and insisted that direct pardons 
be offered to the Colonies, who were the 
parties injured, and in the same noble 
strain of independence said, — "SVheu you 
find reconciliation impossible on any 
terms given yon to propose, 1 believe you 
will then relinqnish so odious a command, 
and return to a more honorable private 
station," and when he left America for 
France, be placed the whole of his pos- 
seBsions in money, between three and four 
tboaeaQd pounds, in the bands of Con- 



26 

f^ress, thas testifying his ooufidence in the 
sacoess of their oause, and inducing otb- 
ers of greater means to imitate his ex- 
ample. 

"There ia a great God and power that 
hath made the world," said William Penn, 
"and all tbinga therein, to whom yoa and 
I and all people owe their being and their 
well-being, and to whom yon and I mast 
one day give an account for ail we do in 
the world. This great God hath written 
His law in our hearts, by which we are 
taught and commanded to love and help, 
and to do good to one another, and not do 
harm and mischief to one another." 

Never was there undertaken a more 
sublime political enterprise than that of 
the Founder of Pennsylvania. Never was 
there a legislation more boldy marked 
with that unity of intention which is the 
most peculiar and majestic of all original 
conception. 

William Penn legislated for peace, as 
Lycurgns did for war; but it was the 
peculiar glory of both, to have possessed 
a Self balanced and confident energy of 
mind, enabling them to disregard all con- 
siderations of temporary expediency and 
private interest, and make every part of 
their system harmonize in perfect unison 
with those leadiog principlts which were 
to ptrvade, aoimate and govern every 
portion of the btate. 

His system of virtuous politics was rear- 
ed upon benevolence, justice, liberty and 
gratitude, and with these objects in view, 
he began, and with them he ended, and in 
cherishing an unconquerable spirit of 
gratitude for the Founder of Pennsylvania. 
Among the men who afterwards aided, 
both in civil and military life, to serve and 
maintain its independence, and that of the 
nation, who should ever be remembered 



27 

with gratitude, was Qeneral William 
Irvine. 

General Irvine, was bora near Ennia- 
killen, Ireland, November 3id, 1741, and 
died in Philadelphia, Jaly 29ih, 1804. He 
graduated at Dublin University, studied 
medicine, and was a surgeon on board a 
ship of war, during part of 1756-63, be- 
tween Great Britain and France. A short 
time before peace was declared, he re- 
6igned bis commission in the Biitish ser- 
vice and emigrated to America, and in 
1764 settled in Carlisle, Pa., and resumed 
the practice of his profession. At the be- 
ginning of the American Revolution, he 
took part with the Colonies, and was a 
member of the provinioial convention that 
assembled in Pniladelphia, July 15th, 
1774. On the 10th of July, 177G, he was 
appointed Colonel of the Sixth Penna. 
Regiment, and joined by order, the Army 
in Canada. He raised this re^iixient, and 
led it to the Mouth of the Sorel, and co- 
operated with General Thompson in the 
attempt to surpdi^e the vanguard of the 
British Army at Three Rivers. He was 
taken prisoner in that disastrous battle on 
the 16th of June, 1776; on August 3rd, he 
was released ou parole, and ou the 6t,h of 
May, 1778, was exchanged, and appointed 
a member of the Court Martial th»t tried 
General Charles Lee. 

In 1778, he was in command of the Sec- 
ond Penna. Regiment, and on May 12cb, 
1779, was made a brigadier general, and 
assigned to the command of the Second 
Penna. line. He took part in Lord Ster- 
ling's expedition against Staten Island, 
was with General Wayne at "Bulls 
Ferry," July 2l8t and 22ud, 1780; and ou 
March 8th, 1782, was in command of the 
troops on the Western Frontier, 

lu 1785, be was appointed agent of the 



state to examiDe pablic lauds, and it was 
he who saggested the purchase of the 
tract called the "triaugle," that gave to 
Pennsylvania an oat let oa Luke Erie la 
1786, he represented the State in the Con- 
tinental Congress, and was one of the 
Commissioners that settled the account 
of the United States wittt the several 
States. He was, also, a member of the 
Convention that revised the Constitnlioo 
of Pennsylvania, and in 1794, was sent as 
a commissioner to the whiskey insurgents, 
and took part in the movement as com- 
mander of the State Militia, that resulted 
in their pacification. 

Prom December 2ud, 1793, to March 
3rd, 1795, he was a member of the Tnird 
Congress. lu March, 1801, he was ap 
pointed Supt. of Military Stores in Pnila- 
delphia, and was President of the Society 
of the Cincinnati at the time of his death. 
Captain Andrew Irvine, also of revolu- 
tionary fame, was a brother of General 
William Irvine. He entered the service 
of the Country as a lieutenant, and march 
ed with General Irvine in the Canadian 
Expedition. He too served under General 
Wayne, and tooa part in the movement 
that preceded the massacre of Paoli, wbere 
he was badly wounded. He continued in 
active service throughout the war, taking 
part in the nortbein and southern cam 
paigns, and died in Carlisle, Penna , May 
4tb, 1789 

"Seasons may come and go; Hope, like 
a bird, may fly away ; Passion may break 
Its wings against the iron bars of Pate j 
Illusions may crumble as the cloudy towers 
of sunset fame; Faith, as running water, 
may slip from beneath our feet; Solitude 
may stretch itself around us like the 
measureless desert sand; Old age may 
creep as the gathering night over oof 



29 

bowed bead-, grown hoary in their shame; 
bat still, throQgh all, we are the same, for 
this is the marvel of identity." 

General William Irvine sprang from good 
soil, as did the Irvings, Irwms and Erin- 
vines, regardless of how you find the name 
spelled. Scotch genealogists generally 
trace the name to a local origin, and de- 
rive it from a topographical source. 

In Ayrshire, a river borough and parish, 
bear the name, in it!) earliest and most 
authentic form, Irwin, or Irvine. 

The borough is called a royal one. It is 
on the Irvine River, and is of ancient 
fame. It was specially favored by the 
great Catholic King Robert Bruce, who 
granted it a charter, in reward for the de- 
votion of the people to his interests. It at 
one time was represented in the peerage) 
of Bcotiand by Viscount Irvine, who was 
of the Ingrams of Temple Newsome near 
Leads, England. The title was of the 
creation of Charles II. It expired with 
the 9th. and last Viscount Irvine, in 1778. 

A noble bridge built nearly one hundred 
years ago, connects the town with its more 
important suburbs. The Parish of Irvine 
is of historic note, especially iu relation to 
its ecclesiastical antiquities, dating back 
to the ages of Faith. From this Irvine 
loot sprang several forms of the name, 
such as Irviu, Irwia, Erwio, Irwyo, etc. 
The parent name is of Gaelic origin, the 
definition of which means the Western 
flowing Biiver, and is the property, not of 
lowland Scotch, but of the glorious old 
Gaelic element known as the Highlanders. 
Sir J. Benard Barke, in crediting the 
name as of loag standing to the South and 
Southwest of Scotland, not dirtctly or im 
pliedly to the lowland population, wtiich 
for itself claims descent from a Saxon an- 
cestry to which it ia heartily welcome, is, 



30 

as i9 aaaal with that accarate and discrim- 
mioating author, in strict harmony with 
the known facts of the case, King Robert 
Bruce, already mentioned, is credited by 
Sir Bernard Burke, with having enricbed 
and honored very signally one William de 
Irwin, his armor bearer. This fortunate 
Knight was said to have been one of the 
Irvine or Irwin stock of Bonshaw in 
Damfdershire. King Robert made him a 
grant, by charter, under the great seal, of 
the forest of Drom, or Brum, in Aberdeen- 
shire, and also distioguished him by as 
signment to him, of the heraldic devise or 
arms of three holly leaves, which as Earl 
of Carrick the royal patron had himself 
borne. 

Thus, Sir Bernard Burke relates, or- 
iginated the great house of Irvine of Drum, 
so highly allied, so conspicuous in the 
family records of Scotland' s ( landed gentry 
title of Irvine of Drum) and from this 
source sprang most of the Irvmes of i*cot- 
land, the Irvines of Germany, the Irvines 
of Rockfield near Eaniskillen, where Gen- 
eral William Irvine of Carlisle was born, 
and ot Greenhill Parish ot Agbava, barony 
of Magheratephana, County of Fermanagn 
and their off shoots. From these came 
Castle Irvine Demesne, Parish of Derry- 
bullan barony of Lurg, County of Fer- 
managh. 

Sir Bernard, traces the Irish Irvines, in 
their common ancestor, to Christopher 
Irvine, laird of Bousbaw, who commanded 
the light cavalry at Fiodden Field in 1513, 
where he was killed. His son Christopber, 
next laird of Bonshaw, also held a com- 
mand, and was killed at the battle of Sol- 
way Moss. 

At Tamego, parish of Dromard, barony 
of Tirerogh, County Sligo, was established 
early in the 17th Century, by an Irwin 



31 

family whose ancestry it is said, was 
Scotch. Tbis family traces its descent 
from John Irwin, an Officer of the Corn- 
wellian forces in Ireland, who, when the 
war was over, found it to bis interest, 
convenience and pleasure, to locate in the 
Northeastern portion of Sligo. He mar- 
a daughter of another Cornwellian trooper, 
Colonel Jones of Urdonglass, County of 
Sligo. 

His grandson and namesake, John Irwin, 
was the Colonel John Irwin of the British 
Military Service, who died A. D. 1752, and 
from whom sprang the fourth descent, 
John Lewis Irwin of Tamegoe, County of 
Sligo. His father was the Reverend 
Crinns Irwiu, Aogeliean Archdeacon of 
Orrory, and Minister in Kilfane Parish. 
And his mother was Amy Chamberlain, 
daughter of Judge Tanberville Chamber- 
lain of the King's Bench in Ireland, 1794- 
1802. From this stock came the Kev. 
John Irwin, Rector of KiU'ane, whose 
residence was in the Glebe House, on the 
Kilkerry Road. 

King Robert the Bruce, and the livings 
were cousins. And one stormy night, six 
hundred and nine years ago, A D 1298, 
King Robert the Bruce, in his flight from 
the pursuit of Edward Loogshanks of 
England, went to Bonshaw Tower, where 
he was kindly received and hospitably en- 
tertained. When the livings learned that 
Edward of England had discovered Bruce' s 
hiding place, they took him three miles 
down the Kirkle Water, nearer to England, 
and there hid bim in a cave in the rocks 
on the bank of the river, when Edward 
reached the Tower, and found the bird 
had flown, he dashed on to Scotland, and 
there Brnce escaped capture. This cave 
is now, in 1907, still in perfect condition. 
When Brace left the Tower, he took 



32 

with bim one of the Irving of Bonshaw's 
youngest sous and made him his armoar 
bearer, and in 1323, five hundred and 
eighty four years ago, when firmly seated 
on his throne, gave this William de Irving, 
(Irvine or Irwin) for his fidelity in pros- 
perity and adversity the castle, land and 
forest of Drum, also his ptivate Coat of 
Arms and motto. These lands are still 
held by the Irvines of Drum, and the 
parchment signed by Bruce is still extant. 
A younger eon of this branch in 1400 went 
to Dilsney Islands, and from there to the 
Island of Shapinsha; and from these Irv- 
ings came Washington living's father, 
whose mother came from Falmooth. 

Lt. Colonel Irvine of Castle Farlagh, 
now Castle Irvine, came from Christopher 
Irvine of Robigill Tower, nest to Bon- 
shaw, and a grandson of Irving of Bon- 
shaw. He left Robigill and went to Fur- 
managh in 1613, and founded the first 
Irish Branch of the Clan, now the Irvines 
of Castle Irvine, and tlie Irvines of Kil- 
leleas. Before 1020, the Irvings of Bon- 
shaw came, as previously stated, from 
Ayrshire, and their old castle there, now 
gives name to the Tower of Irvine, and 
like the name of Ivine is spelled in many 
ways. 

The mansion house at Boushaw was 
bailt in 1770. Tne Tower was there when 
the Irvines got the place in 1020. 

This Tower stands on almost sheer and 
rocky precipice, about 100 feet above tne 
Kirkle Water. In front is a gun terrace 
with uix old guns and solid cannon balls; 
on the right is a deep ravine, with a burn 
flowing through it, on which is a water fall. 
The walls in the thinnest place, are six 
feet through. Near the old jett, (or en- 
trance gate) is carved the sacred motto, 
'•Soli, Deo, Honor et Gloria," the obliviou 



jett is gone. You enter a single hall about 
SIX feet square, communicating with the 
old retainers' kitchen on the one side, and 
the old stone "wheel" stair on the other. 
From the covered roof of this hall hangs 
down about eighteen iocbes or two feet, 
an eight sided stone, like a vast seal. It 
has on it in ancient Hebrew raised letters, 
"I. H. S," In monogram. This is called 
the Crusader's Stone, and was brought 
from the Walls of the old Temple at Jeru. 
salem by one of the Irvings, who was one 
of the first Crusaders in 1100. It was 
taken to Rome, blessed by the Pope, and 
then placed in the Tower as described, 
and is supposed to give a blessing to all of 
the Irving blood that pass under it. On 
the first floor of the Tower you enter the 
grand hall, called King Robert the Bruce's 
room. 

A full and complete record has recently 
been published in a book of some four 
hundred pages by Colonel John Baufln 
Irving of Bonshaw, the present Chief of 
the Irwin Clan. This work is divided into 
eleven chapters. First, Tbe Clan ; Second, 
Heraldic; Tliird, Derivation and Spelling 
of the Namf»; Fourth, Ancient History, 
from A. D. 373 to 1020, when they came 
to Baushaw; Fifth, History from 1020 to 
date; Sixth. History of the Drum Branch, 
from 1323, when they received the grant 
of the estate of Drum from King Robert 
Bruce to date; Seventh. History of the 
Irvings of lloddom, and the Bell Irviogs 
of Whitehill; Eighth, The Iiish House of 
Bonshaw and the Irish Branch; Ninth, 
The AuBtraliau and New Zeland Branches; 
Tenrh, The United Slates Branches; 
Eleventh, The AliffCellaneous Irvings, em- 
bracing all branches, and many subjects. 

There seems to have been at least two 
prominent branches of tho Iivinos, and (he 



34 

Irwins, that settled in Carlisle, some years 
prior to the Revolution. The General Wil- 
liam Irvine branch, and the John Irwin 
branch. 

General William Irvine was married to 
Ann Callender, whose parents resided in 
or near Middlesex, a short distance from 
Carlisle. 

The result of this marriage was nine 
children, five sons and four daughters, as 
follows:— Callender, Ann, William Neill, 
Armstrong, Elizabeth, Mary B , Rebecca, 
James and John. 

Callender, the eldest of General Irvine's 
children, by his marriage, had but one 
child, the late Dr. William A. Irvine, of 
Irvingtou, Warren County, Peuna. This 
Irvine m turn, by bia marriage, had two 
daughters and one son. The son died be- 
fore reachiDg manhood. Margaret, his 
eldest daughter, married Thomas M Biddle 
of Carlisle, and Sarah Duncan, married 
Dr.Thomas Newbold of Philadelphia. Both 
these gentlemen died in Philadelphia some 
few years ago. 

Of the John Irwin branch, who were cous- 
ins of General William Irvine, there was the 
mother, three sons, William, David and 
John, aud a daughter Jane. The father, 
it is said, died at sea on his way with his 
family to America, and the mother died at 
the home of her son John, corner of 4th 
and Market streets in the City of Pittsburgh, 
March Ist, 1811, aged 95 years. 

These two brothers, John and William, 
were property holders in Cumberland 
County, then removed to Pittsburg, where 
they established themselves. David and 
William's country estate was named 
"Squirrell Hill," and that of John, "Erin 
Bill," where John died in 1830, at the ad- 
vanced age of 84 years. John Irwin mar- 
ried Agnes Farquhar, (born in Cumberland 



:i5 

County, July 6th, 1773), in Carlisle.Novem- 
ber 18th, 1790. 

Coming down to my generation, I am 
aure you will forgive me for speaking of 
another descendant of the Irwins of Rev- 
olutionary fame, Rear AdmiralJobn Irwin, 
U. S. N. 

Admiral Irwin was born in Pittsburg, 
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, April 
ir,th, 1832, and died at No. 1120 Vermont 
Avenue, Washington, D, C, July 29th, 
1901. 

He was commissioned a midshipman in 
1847, Lieutenant in 1855, Captain in 1875, 
and Commodore in 1886. The date of his 
Rear Admiral Commission I am unable to 
state. He retired from the Navy in 1894. 

I will not attempt to give a history of 
his military life, a description of the cir- 
cumstances attending his retirement from 
the Asiatic Station, as given by the "Week- 
ly Box of Curios," i:okohama, Japan, tells 
the story. 

"Admiral Irwin's Goodbye." 

"Captain McCormick noticed the Ad- 
miral longingly looking forward to where 
the sailoifi were standing massed to catch 
a glimpse of their old chief. He asked him 
if he wished to go forward, and when he 
responded that he did, he passed the order, 
"Divisions to Quarters " Every man and 
officer sprang to their proper position. 
Accompanied by the Captain, the Admiral 
went from one end of the ship to the other, 
and was saluted by each division. He 
spoke to the officer in command, and bade 
him and bis men a personal farewell, and 
looking over the ranks, as his eye would 
rest upon some old weather beaten tar, 
whom he had peisonally known in days 
gone by, he would Rrasp his hand heart- 
ily, fay a kind word and goodbye. 

From one end of the deck of the old 



battle ship to the other *rere two rows of 
watery eyes and quivering lips. Every 
face showed the sincere feeling of every 
man. 

The adiea had been made, and the 
Admiral was ready to leave the ship, when 
the ofSoer of the deck stepped up and 
said, "Admiral, Sir, your barge i« ready." 

The Admiral approached the gangway, 
escorted by the officers, and again shak- 
ing hands and saluting, he passed down 
the ladder, expecting to see bis boat's 
crew, but on reaching the staging, stop- 
ped with surprise, when he discovered his 
barge was manned by uniformed officers, 
and all standing at sp.lute. Hi<3 eyes fill- 
ed with tears, he hesifated for a moment, 
then saluting, stepped in and took his 
seat, unable to utter a word. 

Captain Gridiey of the Marion acted as 
coxswain, the followiug gentlemen acted 
as crew, — Paymaster Friday, Capt. Elliott, 
U, S. M., Lieutenants Barney, Miner, 
Franklin, Eberie, Dduiels, Pratt, Slocum, 
Hoff, Quimby and Paymaster Clerk Stem- 
pen. As the barge left the ship, the yards 
were manned, and amid loud cheering the 
Admiral and his distinguisned crew start- 
ed for the steamship China. Passing the 
Japanese man of war, Tsnkubakan, the 
yards were manned and three hearty 
cheers were given lor the Admiral. 

On H, M. S. Imperienee, the same 
honors were paid, to both of which, the 
Admiral rose to his feet, and acknowledged 
the great honor. As he sat in the stern 
sheets and watched the measured and 
well timed stroke of bis crew of honor, all 
could see that he was greatly affected, and 
when he reached the China, was unable 
to acknowledge the honor shown. Before 
leaving he said, — 

"Gentleman, tbie unexpected honor I 



37 

shall neter forget. If I were ieaviog the 
Bervioe, sacb attention shown I woald 
highly appreciate as oomplimeutary to the 
high office I hold, bat simply leaving one 
ship for another, it shows me that this 
hearty evidence of yonr good will is an in- 
dication of your friendship and personal 
esteem, and it is therefore most gratifying 
to me, that it is tendered to my unworthy 
self, instead of to my official position. 
Ijanguage fails me when 1 try to express 
my gratitude and high appreciation, and 
all I can say is, Goodbye, God bless you 
all." 

It was an event in the Asiatic Squad- 
ron, in fact in the United States Navy, 
that was unusual, and not sooa to be for- 
gotten. 

On Saturday the China was advertised 
to sail at noon, and at 11 a.m. the Lan- 
caster and Marion each sent a barge filled 
with their bands, and stationed off the 
gangway they discoursed sweet music. 
Boat after boat from the American and 
Japanese Men-of-War came alongside fill- 
ed with friends to pay their respects, as 
did steam launches and yachts, but the 
Admiral's previous day's experience had 
unmanned him, and ho was unable to 
meet bis callers and say farewell. Floral 
decorations were showered upon him, his 
family, and his staff, and a basket lull of 
cards were left to remind him of the days 
he had spent in the land of the Rising 
Sun, and the friends he had left. 

Thus ended the active official life of 
Admiral John Irwin, U. S. N., grandson 
of John Irwin, who with his two brothers 
settled near Carlisle in the early days. 

1 have here with me this evening, and 
take pleasure in presenting to the Histori- 
cal Society of Carlisle, photograph of Col- 
onel J. B. Irving of Bonphaw, present 



38 

chief of the Irving Cian, with photograph 
of Dram Castle, Aberdeen, Scotland, be- 
stowed by Robert Brace on Sir William de 
Irwin in 1306 Also, photograph of Bon- 
shaw Tower, seat of the Irving Clan. Also 
two cats of the Irwin Coat of Arms, with 
the motto of a third. And the photograph 
of William Wallace Irwin, son of John 
Irwin, and the father of Admiral John 
Irwin. William Wallace Irwin was in 
1840, the tenth Mayor of the City of Pitts- 
burg, member of Congress, and Minister 
to Denmark daring Tyler's Administra- 
tion. He was born in Pittsburg, Septem- 
ber 16th, 1806, and died there September 
15th, 1856. 

Another of the early and ardent advo- 
cates of the cause of the Colonies, was 
General Henry Miller, born in Lancaster 
County, Pa., Febsuary 13th, 1751, and 
died in Carlisle, April 5th, 1824. When 
the news fiom Lexington in 1775 reached 
him, he at once entered the service as 
First Lieutenant, and with his company, 
reached Cambridge, July 2oth, 1775, and 
with a few of his men, succeeded in get- 
ting in the rear of the British Sentries, 
killing and capturing several. Shortly 
after this he was made a Captain, taking 
an active part in the battle of Long Is- 
land, August 27th, 1776. In November, 

1777, he was advanced to the position of 
Major, and in 1778 to that of Lieutenant 
Colonel, in command of the Second Penn- 
sylvania line. 

It is said of this brave soldier that he 
took part in some fifty or sixty conflicts, 
and at the battle of Monmouth, June 28th, 

1778, two horses were shot under him. 
He was ordered by General Washington 
to check the movements of the British in 
pursuit of our Army retreating across New 
Jersey, and it was bis splendid service on 



39 

this occasion, that saved the Army from 
disaster. lu 1779, on account of straiten- 
ed pecuniary circumstances of bis family, 
he resigned his commission. After this, 
in 1780, he was Sheriff of York County. 
In 1783, a Member of the Legislature. In 
1785, prothonotary, Justice of the Peace, 
and of the Court of Common Pleas. 

Was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of the State, in 1790, In 1794, 
he responded to the call of the President 
for troops, and was made a brigadier gen- 
eral, and during this same year, 1794, be- 
came qaartermaster-general of the expedi- 
tion 8f nt out to suppress the whiskey in- 
surrection. Later, in 1794, he was ap- 
pointed by Washington, supervisor of the 
revenue for Pennsylvania, holding the 
office up to the time Thomas Jefferson be- 
came President. In the war of 1812, he 
held the position of brigadier-general m 
commtind, at Baltimore, and in charge of 
the defence of Fort McHenry and Its de- 
pendencies. After the British left the 
Chesapeake, General Henry Miller retired 
from the Army, returned to Pennsylvania, 
and from 1821 to the time of his death in 
Carlinle, in 1824, he was prothonotary of 
Perry County. 

Then there was General Frederick 
Watts, who Settled in Cumberland County 
in 1760, one hundred and forty seven 
years ago, and was a member of the Cum- 
berland County Committee when the 
Revolutionary War began, and was thus 
early commissioned lieutenant Colonel of 
one of the associated battalions. 

Wnen the "Flying Camp" was organiz- 
ed by Congress, Col. Watts was assigned 
to the command of the batralion that was 
placed in Cumberlatid county, and at the 
surrender of Fort Washington, November 
19tb, 1776, he was captured and after his 



40 

exchange, served in various important 
positiona. 

On April 1, 1778, he was commissionecl 
a JQStioe of the peace. In 1779, he was 
chosen a representative to the assembly 
and in 1780 appointed a sub lientenant of 
Camberland coanty. 

On the 27 of May, 1782, he was commis- 
sioned brigadier general of the Pennsyl- 
vania Militia, and with his command did 
splendid service in protecting the frontier 
counties of the State. From October 1787 
to 1790, he was a member of the supreme 
executive council of Pennsylvania. At the 
close of his official life he removed to his 
farm on the Juniata River, where he died. 
His son, David, was one of the State's 
ablest jurists, as was his grandson, Fred- 
erick Watts. Both these gentlemen were 
graduates of Dickinson College, and both 
distinguiBhed leaders in their profession. 
His grandson, Fiederick, lived and died 
in Carlisle. 

Then there was General Hugh Mercer, 
who came to America from Scotland in 
1747, one bundred and sixty years ago, 
and settled near what is now known as 
Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. 

General Mercer served in the French 
and Indian War of 1755, twenty one years 
before our Declaration of Independence. 
He was with General Braddock in his ex- 
pedition to Fort Duquesne, and at the 
battle of Monongahela was wounded in the 
shoulder, after which he wandered alone 
through the wilderness for 100 miles to 
Fort Cumberland. 

In 1758, he was commissioned a Lieu- 
tenant Colonel and marched with the army 
under General John Forbes to Pittsburg, 
taking command of that post for several 
months. In 1774 he organized and drilled 
the Virginia Militia, and in 1775, the 



41 

"Miuate Men", and tbis same year, 1775, 
was made Colonel of the Third Virginia 
Regiment. In June 1776, at the request 
of General Washington, he was appointed 
by Congress a brigadier general, and given 
command of the "Flying Camp." He was 
with Washington in his retreat throagh 
New Jersey, led the attack at Trenton, and 
he it was who advised the night march on 
Princeton^ taking command of the ad- 
vance, and when his men wavered before 
the enemy, in attempting to rally them, he 
was felled by a blow from the butt of a 
muekfct, and although surrounded by Brit- 
ish eoldiersi, refused quarters, and while 
detendiug himself with his sword, was 
repeatedly bayoneted and left on the field 
for dead. V7ashington when he received 
the news of his condition, dispatched a 
flag of truce to Cornwallis, requesting that 
bis aid de camp and nephew, Colonel 
George Lewis, be permitted to remain with 
General Mercer. The request was granted, 
and Colonel Lewis was with him at the 
time of his death, which occurred in a few 
days. 

If decision, promptness, and energy of 
character, combined with a sound judg- 
ment, correct principles, and ardent pat- 
riotism, and faithful aervice, merit distine- 
tion and a grateful record, no one is more 
entitled to them than the gallant Butler 
Brotlitrs, of Cumberland county, Penn- 
sylvania. Their names, Richard, William, 
Thomas, Peicival and Edward, should ever 
remain fresh and green in the memory of 
all loyal Americans, as should also that of 
their sons, Edward G. W., Thomas Lang- 
ford, William Orlando and Robert Butler. 
Colonel Richard Butler, was born in 
Ireland. He came to America in 1760, 
thirty six years before our Declaration of 
Independence. When the Revolutionary 



42 

War began, he was made a Lieutenant 
Colonel in the Pennsylvania line, and in 
1777, attached to Morgans Rifle Corps, 
where he distinguished himself. In 1781, 
he was with General Lafayette's command 
near Williamsburg, Va. And on the 26 of 
June, he it was that defeated Simcoe's 
Rangers. At the close of the war, his 
rank was that of Colonel of the 9th Penn- 
sylvania Regiment. The year 1787 finds 
him Agent of Indian Affairs in Ohio, and 
four years afterward, 1791, holding the 
position of Major General, in command of 
the right wing of the Army, in St. Claii's 
expedition against the Indians. On the 
morning of November the 4, 1791, after 
making several gallant charges, he was 
badly wounded, tomahawked and scalped 
by the enemy. 

William Batler, was Lieutenant Colonel 
of the 4i;h Pennsylvania Regiment, and 
in October, 1778, after the destruction of 
Wyoming, he conducted the expedition 
that destroyed the Indian settlements of 
Unadilla and Anaguaga. 

Thomas was the third brave soldier of 
the Butler Brothers. He was born in 
Pennsylvania, in 1754, one hundred and 
fifty three years ago, and died in New 
Orleans, September 7, 1805. 

The year 1776 found Thomas Butler a 
student in the law office of Judge Wilson, 
of Pniladelphia; his patriotic spirit would 
not permit him to resist the needs of his 
Country, and joining the army, he soon 
was in command of a Company, participat- 
ing in almost every engagement in the 
Middle States, during the Revolution. 

Oa the 11 of September, 1776, at Bandy- 
wine, he received the thanks of Washing- 
ton on the field for intrepidity in rallying 
a retreating detachment. 

At Monmouth, he was thanked by Gen- 



*> 



43 

eral Wayne for defending a defile in the 
face of a heavy fire. In 1791, he was ap- 
pointed a Major, and commanded a bat- 
talion from Carlisle, in Gibson's command 
under St. Clair. On November 4, when St. 
Clair was defeated, bis brother Richard 
was killed, be was wonnded twice, and 
with difficulty removed from the field by 
his brother Edward, his leg having been 
broken by a ball. 

On April 11, 1792, he was made Major 
of the 4th Sub-legion, and on Jaly 1, 1792, 
Colonel in command of the 4th Infantry. 
In 1802, when the army was placed on a 
peace basis, he was retained in the ser- 
vice, as Colonel of the 2ud lufantry, and 
in 1797 expelled the settlers from Indian 
lands in Tennessee, by order of President 
Washington, and while on this service, 
made several important treaties with the 
Indians. His son, Robert Butler, served 
in the army as Assistant Adjutant General 
under General Harrison in the battle of 
the Tames, distinguishing himself at New 
Orleans. In 1812, Robert resigned from 
the army, and from 1824 to 1849 was sur- 
veyor of public lands in Florida. 

Percival was the fourth brother who first 
saw the light of day in Cumberland county, 
Pennsylvania, in 1760, and died sixty-one 
years afterwards, on the 11th day of Sep- 
tember, 1821, in Port William, Ky. He 
too was an officer in the Revolution, hold- 
ing the potiilion of Coptain, and was with 
Morgan ht Saratoga, and on June 25tb, 
1781, commanded in the confiict with Colo- 
nel Simcoe at Spencer's Ordinary, and 
served at the siege of Yorktown. At tbe 
close of the war, he located in Jessamine 
County, Ky. In 1812, he again entered 
the service as Adjuntant-General, holding 
that position during the war. 

Edward was the youngtet of these five 



44 

distingaiahed men. He was born near 
Carlisle, in 1762, aud died at Fort Wilkin- 
son, Georgia, May 6ch, 1803. Wben only 
18 years of age, was Lieutenant and Quar- 
ter-master of the 9tli Pennsylvania Regi- 
ment, lu 1791 he was a Captain in Colonel 
Gibson's Regiment, and in 1796, was Gen- 
eral Wayne's Adjutant General. His son, 
Edward G. W. Butler, who bore the great 
name of America's Chieftain, George 
Washington, and that of his father, enter- 
ed the Army of the United States as a 
Cadfct in 1816, rose to the position of First 
Lieutenant, and resigned in 1831 Sixteen 
years afterwards, in 1847, he re-entertd 
the Army from Louisiana, as Colonel of 
dragons, and served through the Mexican 
War. The Rev. J. A. Murry, in a letter 
dated February 22ad, 1887, congratulating 
him on reaching bis 87ch birthday, matees 
complimentary mention of his "fiither and 
four brave une.es, originally belonging to 
the neighborhood," (meaning Carlisle) 
"the ardent friendship that existed between 
them, and General Washington, and the 
many valuable heirlooms, including the 
field glasses that Washington carried 
through the Revolutionary War," that 
were among his father's possessions. 

Thomas Butler, had one sou named 
Robert, and Percival Butler, two sons, 
Thomas Langtord and William Orlando, 
that, like their fathers, were brave and 
efficient soldiers. 

Thomas Langf ord was born in Lexingt on , 
Kentucky, in 1789, and died lu Louisville, 
October 21st, 1880. In 1809, he entered 
the Army as a Lieutenant. In 1813, was 
made a Captain and served throughout the 
Northwestern Campaign under Harrison. 
. In 1813, was aidde camp to General Jack- 
son. He was at the siege of Ptnsacola, 
and in 1815 at the battle of New Orleans, 



45 

Rnd for bravery was breveted a Major. 
At the close of the War he was appointed 
Surveyor and inspector of the Port of New 
Orleans. In 1826, having returned to his 
home in Kentucky, he repiesented Gallatin 
County in the Legislature, and in 1847 
dRaiu represented Carroll and Gallatin in 
the Legislature. 

His brother, William Orlando, born in 
Jessamine County, Ky., in 1791, and died 
in CarroUton, Kentucky, August 6th, 1880, 
was a graduate of the Transylvania Uni- 
versity in 1812. He studidd law under 
Kobert Wickliffe, at Lexington. When the 
war with England broke out, he enlisted 
as a private, proceeding at once to the re- 
lief of Fort Wnyno. Was promoted to the 
position of ensign in tha 17th Infantry, and 
wasengaged, January 18th and 22nd, 1813, 
in the battles at Rasin Kiver. In the 
second engagement, he diatinguished him- 
self by burning a barn from which the 
Indians were pouring a galling fire into the 
American ranks. He was wounded and 
taken prisoner, paroled at Fort Niagara; 
on his return to Kentucky, he was com- 
missioned a Captain, doing good service 
at Pensacola. The next we hear of him is 
in New Orleans, where on the night of 
December 23rd, 1814, m command of four 
companies on the left wing of the army, 
he attacked and repelled General Sir Ed- 
ward Pakenham, gaining a success that 
enabled the Americaus on January 8th, 
1814, to win a decisive victory. For this 
service he was made a Brevet Major. In 
181.5, he succeeded his brother, Major 
Thomas Butler, as aid de-camp to General 
Jackson, and in 1817, resigned from the 
army and resumed the practice of law. In 
1839, he was elected to Congress; was re- 
elected in 1841, declining a third nomina- 
tion. In 1844, be was nominated for Gov- 



*6 

ernor of Kentucky oo the Democratic 
ticket. At the beginning of the Mexican 
War, he again joined the Army, and on 
June 29th, 1846, was appointed a Major- 
(ieneral of Volunteers. In the early move- 
ments in Texas and Northern Mexico, he 
was most prominent, On September 24th 
in charging a battery, was wounded, and 
sent home. The next year, 1847, he re- 
turned to the field, joining the army of 
General Scott, and was at the capture of 
the City of Mexico. Congrees presented 
him with a sword of honor for bravery at 
Monterey, as did also the State of Ken- 
tucky. In February. 1848, he succeeded 
General Scott in command of the Army, 
holding that place when peace was declar- 
ed, May 29th, 1848. In May, of the same 
year, be was nominated by the Democrats, 
at the Baltimore Convention, for Vice 
President of the United States, the ticket 
being Cass and Butler. In 1835, he refused 
the appointment of Governor of Nebraska, 
la 1861, he was a member of the peace 
Congress that met at Washington. This 
was the last time that he appeared in 
public life. 

The important influence of the example 
of the American Revolution on the rights 
of man, and the liberties of nations, is, as 
yet, but partially estimated. It is not, 
however, too much to say, that the work- 
ing of our political institutions after a trial 
of more than a century, the happy opera- 
tion of religious freedom; the liberty of 
the press ; the general diffusion of educa- 
tion ; the skill and bravery of our chivalry 
on land, and on sea; and the prosperity 
and happiness of our country, are now 
holding the admiration of the world. In 
the midst of prosperity, nations, like indi- 
viduals, are apt to forget their benefactors, 
aud republics have been proverbially un- 



4*^ 

grateful, and it is iocauibeDt upon us to 
remove any such stain from the name of 
Americans, and American history. 

Comparison is the secret of linowledge, — 
"Unless a variety of opinions," (said 
Herodotus,) "Are laid before as, we have 
no opportunity of selection, bnt are bound 
of necessity to adopt the particular view 
which may have been brought forward. 
The parity of gold cannot be ascertained 
by a single specimen ; bnt when we have 
carefully compared it with others, we are 
able to fix upon the finest ore." 

la attempting to speak of the few de- 
fenders of American Independence I have, 
there should be added to the record a 
sketch of the lives and achievements of 
Colonel Ephriam Blane, Colonel Robert 
Magftw, Captain William Hendricks, Col- 
onel Beujamin Chambers, Oenerai Potter, 
and Major Andrew Galbrath, but time and 
your patience will not permit me to do 
more at this moment, than to say of them, 
that they were Pennsylvanians who held 
high and honorable rank in the fraternity 
of American Patriots, and in whose mem- 
ory no effort or expense should be spared 
by Cumberland County and the State of 
Pennsylvania, in producing a publication 
which all who are swayed by the impulse 
of patriotism, or the honor of our land, 
may regard, not memeiy with exultation 
as a monument of state and national grat- 
itude, but as the ever living evidence of a 
just appreciation of the brave, the honor- 
able, and virtuous achievements, which 
indicate to the world the high destiny of 
the republic. 

The men who stamp the impressions of 
their genius or their virtues on their own 
times, iutlueuce also those which follow, 
and they become the oenefactors of after 
ages and remote nations, aa the history of 



our ooQDtry has so clearly defiaed, and of 
sucb the memorials sboald be carefully 
collected and preserved; and Americans 
owe it to their country and to the world 
to perpetuate such records while it is 
possible to separate truth from fiction in 
all that relates to those who laid the 
foundation of this republic — who have 
sustained it by their wisdom, or adorned 
it by their talents. 

So great is the effect which may be pro- 
duced by such; and similar means, that 
when a people has degenerated from the 
virtues of their ancestors, when some 
wide- wasting corruption has tainted their 
morals, or tyranny has trampled down 
their liberties, such records may serve to 
keep the mind of the nation vigorous and 
lofty, and preserve in the hearts of the 
people a pure and intense love of Country. 
Patriots, Moralists, Christians, think not 
lightly of the sacred cause of freedom. 
Wrong it not by unworthy forgetfulness, 
or indifference to the memory of the men 
who bequeathed to the people of this Be- 
public, its independence. It imposes up- 
on you no austerities ; it asks no aid from 
ignorance; it loves the light. 

Wherever there is Government, there 
must be councils of administration and 
collisions of opinions concerning its mode 
and its measures. In all governments, 
therefore, there are parties which neces- 
sarily become braided and too often en- 
tangled with the personal characters, 
principles, passions and fortunes of indi- 
vidual men. No sooner had the founders 
of the Christian Faith laid the corner 
stone for the establishment of the purest 
and most self sacrificing of all religions, 
by the selections of the twelve apostles, 
than ambition and avarice, the thirst for 
place, and treachery were disclosed among 
them. 



49 

The Constitution of the United States 
was the result of a compromise between 
parties, not factions. ("Faction," said 
Judge William Gaston, ninety two years 
age, "is a demon; faction out of power is 
a demon enchained; faction vested with 
the attributes of rule is a moloch of de- 
struction"), therefore, it is claimed for 
the Constitution of the United States, that 
it was the result of a compromise between 
parties which had existed from the first 
formation of the American Union. 

It drew together by closer ties the in- 
habitants of an extensive country, chiefly 
descended from one coiamon stock, but 
greatly diversified by the varities of clim- 
ates and soil on which they had settled, 
and the oppositions of religious and politi- 
cal opinions in which they had originated. 
It made them permantly, aud by political 
organizations, what the enthusiasm of a 
common struggle for freedom, common 
sufferings and common dangers had made 
them— one people. 

This stupendous monument of wisdom 
and virtue was accomplished by a party 
then known as Federalists, a name which, 
at that time, WashinRton and Madison 
were alike proud of bearing. 

The American People, with the passing 
of years should grow stronger, and not 
weaker In their becoming solicitude in the 
prenervation of the sentiments, and the 
relics of their own glory. The loftiest 
appeal to national honor and self-respect 
is to preserve the features and rescue from 
the wasting hand of time the memory of 
those whose noble deeds, exalted fame, or 
eminent virtues, have shed a luster upon 
their age. 

In place of thirteen scattered, oppressed 
and degraded colonies, struggling with 
poverty and united only by the resolutiou 



50 

to be free, we have to day aa empire, 
rich, powerfal and independent, and the 
history of the lives of the foandere of this 
empire, their names and their achieve- 
ments should ever be cherished whether 
we view them as illaatrative of what may 
be accomplished by the native energy of 
genins or an example of deep, pure, de- 
voted patiiotism. 

There is no surer sign of a general de- 
cay of virtue in a nation, "than a want of 
zeal in its inhabitants for the good of their 
country," and it i« the duty of every loyal 
American to learn the lesson, that he has 
inherited a country which is his, not only 
to enjoy, but his to protect, his to trans- 
mit to fnture generations, in all its glory 
undiminished and unimpaired. "High in 
the firmanent of human destiny are set the 
stars of faith m mankind, and unselfish 
courage and loyalty to the ideal; and 
while these shine, the spirit and the hope 
of Washington and the men who stood 
with him shall never die." 

la every blade of grass, in every gather- 
ing cloud, in every living creature, in 
every throb of the mighty rhythmic life of 
the universe, the glory, wisdom and power 
of God is revealed, and not philanthropy, 
but inspiration is the greatest service any 
man can render his race. 

The spirit of God was influencing the 
human mind, when the corner stone of 
the foundation upon which the great 
structure of American Independence was 
laid and now rests, and it was this same 
spirit that qualified men to set forth truth 
without error, eo impressed with the divine 
sentiment of freedom that enabled the red 
blood of Americans, filled with the ele- 
ment of iron, to throw off the shackles of 
Oppression and win for America its in- 
dependence; giving us control at this 



5L 

momeat ot a region covering a wonderfal 
territory of boandless reaonrces and ad- 
vantageous geographical position, and it 
was a reflection of this same spirit of in- 
spiration that gave birth to the American 
flag, the firi^t single lamp, glittering with 
the radiance of freedom that hang over 
our heads, and carries with it wherever it 
goes, the story of liberty, virtue and glory. 
It witnessed the operations against Bur- 
goyne and his surrender, after the battle 
of Saratoga, October 17th, 1777, the sur- 
render of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Sep- 
tember 19th, 1781, and waved triumphant- 
ly in the eyes of the English, and was 
made brighter and more glorious than ever 
at the fivaeuotion of New York, November 
25th, 1783. It witnessed the creation of 
American homesteads, and has given them 
protection. It witnessed the establish- 
ment of the famous highway across the 
great plains, that on the lOfh day of May, 
1869, drove the last spike at Promontory 
Point in Utah, that connected by rail the 
Atlantic and Pacific shores, and on the 
7th day of November, 1805, when planted 
by Lewis and Clark on the shore of the 
Pacific, in our great Oregon Country, be- 
came the beacon light that opened by way 
of the "Golden Gate," to this Republic, 
the largest expanse of water in the world, 
covHritig an area of 67,810,000 square 
miles, measuring north and south 9,000 
mile«>, and east and west fiom fifty miles 
at Behring Strait, where Asia and Ameri- 
ca comes within sight of each other, to 
8,500 miles between California and China 
ou the Tropic of Cancer, to more than 
10,000 miles on the Equator, and it is with 
sincere regret that tLe acknowledgment 
must be made that many names, not hav- 
ing the advantage of contemporaneous 
biographers sod eminent artists, to give 



current value to their well earned fame in 
the history of the founding and develop- 
ing; of our country, have passed away. 
The merits of their services forgotten or 
ascribed to others. 

Enthusiasm and not conservation makes 
strong men and strong governments. No 
life, and no nation can be lifted above 
stale mediocrity without the inward glow 
and divine passion of earnest, honest, 
manly enthusiasm. Bob a man of bis in- 
dividuality, his self-respect, take away 
from him his sturdy, self-reliant manhood, 
and all enthusiasm within him dies, dies 
for himst'lf, and for hia country. His use- 
fulness is gone. 

With the continuous growth of American 
home life, whicb has moved across the 
continent from the rocky shores of Ply- 
moth to the peaceful waters of the Pacific, 
and are now springing with leaps and 
bounds through the "Golden Gate," 
and moving out upon tne bosom 
of tne deep, to rest like a benediction^npoa 
the iijlands of the sea, there is hardly a 
foot of soil that is not familiar with tho 
hunger, nakedness and extremity of suf- 
fering, the individual Amercian Pioneer 
and Prospector, has not endured in his 
enthusiasm in discovering, locating and 
developing the rich fields, capital and labor 
now enjoy. 

Tnrougti their individual and enthusias- 
tic efforts the boundaries of knowledge 
have been enlarged, as well as the boun- 
daries of a great and powerful nation, and 
80 long as their names and their deeds are 
remembered with gratitude, the glory of 
our national existence cannot pass away. 

The infancy of this nation has passed. 
It is now living in the manhood of an ex- 
istence that exceeds the boundaries of 
more than ooe vast oontinent, and wijeth- 



3'J 

er we look to tho past or to the fatuie, 
everything conspires to animate as with 
the proud consciousness of our independ- 
ence, and if we are but true to ourselves, 
this independence will live and grow in 
tne ripened wisdom of centuries to come, 
unmixed with any of the baser matter that 
alloyed the pure gold of older nations. 

Our present existence is exalted and 
enriched, not by forgetfulness or indiffer- 
ence, but by the memory of the past; and 
as oar imagination recalls to our hearts 
the authors of the good we enjoy, a sweet 
reminiscence attends the recollection, and 
we are rendered incapable of ingratitude. 
"By their fraitd ye shall known them." 
It is painfully evident that there is urgent 
need for improvement in some of our 
political and business methods. The ad- 
vice given by Embassador Bryce, in his 
address at the commencement exercises of 
the the University of Illinois, June 12th. 
1907, is not without interest to the Ameri- 
can People. He said, "Leaders, honest, 
capable, corageoas men are necessary in 
a democracy as in other forms of Govern- 
ment. Tho people must seek them out, 
must honor them, must give them, if their 
honesty is proved, its confidence. But the 
whole people must continue to watch 
everthing they do, and never surrender its 
jad«emeut or its votes into their hands. It 
was said by them of old, "that eternal 
vigilance is the price of freedom." "It is 
the price of other things also." "It is the 
price of pure government." 

Greater than laws, greater than written 
constitutions, is an intelligent and right- 
eous public sentiment. Constitutions and 
laws do not make safety. It is the people 
that make safety, and if the people neglect 
their duty to the republic, they must pay 
the penalties as individuals. Fdctioas or 



S4 

g&tiga shoald hold do pl&ee in Ameiie&n 
politics. It is all right to pray, bat watch 
while you pray. 

He was a wise man who said, "Let me 
make the ballads of a nation, and I care 
not who makes the laws." 

Our National Song, "The Star Spangled 
Banner," was composed in 1814, ninety 
three years ago, and the famoasair, "Hail 
Colambia," was sang more than one hun- 
dred years ago. 

The singing of a song has made a presi- 
dent, honored kings, caused a country to 
run rivers of blood, turned a populace into 
a howling, mEiddened mob, reduced a mob 
to a passion of tears, aided in starting 
revolutions, cheered armies to victory, and 
marked historical epochs. 

The combinations of our flag, "The 
Star Spangled Banner," and the sentiment 
it expresses; the glory of the achieve- 
ments it symbolizes; the record of the men 
who fashioned and bonored it, that we 
might enjoy the blessing of free men, and 
free women, in a great and free republic, 
and the wonderful expansion of country, 
and of civilization, power and weaitu, 
since the 4th day of July, 1776, when 
America declared her independence, and 
the 4th day of June, 1777, when our flag 
was born amidst war's alarms, and through 
which we now see the mighty and myster- 
ious wing of the early sunrise of American 
independence, warns us against the break- 
ing of the ancient land marks established 
by the fathers of our country. They are 
pleasant memories, and should not only 
be the perpetual boast of all America's 
patriotic sons, but cling about the heart 
until they grow iuto our very being, and 
become identified with the elements of 
thought and feeling which constitutes our 
life. • . . 



The only national tribnnal which oaa sit 
m jadgement on a national law and de- 
clare an act of all three of the powers of 
the anion to be noil and void, is the 
justice of the aapreme coart of the land, 
and to this hi^h and honorable place, was 
John Marshall, (born in Fauquier county, 
Virginia, September 24, 1755, and died in 
Philadelphia, July 6, 1835.) appointed by 
President Adams, January 31, 1801. 

For thirty four years he graced the office 
with increasing reputation and unsnllied 
dignity. During his time, grave discus- 
sions on constitutional law attracted much 
of the talents of the bar in the Supreme 
Court, and sometimes agitated the whole 
nation, and if all the others of his judicial 
arguments had perished, his luminous 
judgement on these occHSsions would have 
given an immortality to his name. Our 
Republic was than in its infancy. New 
conditions, requiring new laws to govern 
them were constantly presenting them- 
selves, aud yet, every year now, we have 
more new laws created than Chief Justice 
John Marshall considered daring his entire 
term of office. 

Upon Cougress resta the responsibility 
to enact the necessary laws, aud upon the 
President rests the responsibility to see 
that the laws are faithfully observed. Up- 
on us, who are citizens of this great repub- 
lic, rests the grave aud responsible duty 
of doing all in our power to influence just 
aud equitable legislation, and the first step 
towards this end is to secure the election 
of men to our Lej?islative Halls, of un- 
questioned probity, whoso ability, charac- 
ter aud honesty of purpose, is fully recog- 
nized and acknowledged by all thb people. 
Certainly it is enough to liuow that the 
heritage of freedom btqueathed to ua by 
the fatberd of tbiB Bep^iblio, ia a prieeless 



56 

otift. Tb&t a ooaQtfy where people of 
every tribe, and every nation can seek 
shelter under its mighty shade, and gather 
from its branches the rich fruits of public 
greatness and private happiness, a land 
where every man's religion is protected, 
and no man's is preferred, and where, in 
the indefinate increase of numbers and 
intelligence, no well directed effort to 
better the condition of others can ultimate- 
ly fail. A country, where, since Thomas 
Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Liv- 
ingston, John Adams, and Roger Sher- 
man, prepared and gave to it a "Declara 
tion of Independence," under which we 
have been enabled for the universal good 
of mankind to frame a Constitution, that 
has carried into successful operation a 
systpm of self government, uniting per- 
sonal liberty, freedom of opinion, and 
equality of rights, with national power 
aad dignity, such as never before existed 
in the world. Able to call forth on every 
emergency, either in war or in peace, a 
body of talent, always equal to the dif- 
ficulty, aad that has given to the world 
many examples of disinterested patriotism, 
political wisdom, public virtue, learning, 
eloquence and valor, never exerted save 
for some praiseworthy end, whose soil has 
been consecrated by the blood of heroes, 
and whose wide extent is one vast temple 
and hallowed asylum, sanctified by the 
prayers and blessings of the persecuted of 
every sect, and the wretched of all na- 
tions, is one for which we may all stand 
ready to sacrifice the richest red life blood 
of our hearts in its defense. O, land of 
liberty! Land of refuge! Land of bene- 
diction, thy children have no cause to 
blush for tdee! May truth ever flourish 
within your borders, and righteousness 
look down upon you from Heaven, and may 
rhe time never come, when tne many 
have to pay to the few, for the privilege of 
liviDg beneath your emblem of authority 
and power, "The Star Spangled Banner." 



APPENDIX. 

It is a pleasing task to speak of the 
distinguished living and the illnstrions 
dead, and to keep constantly before the 
public, not only their sacrifices and 
achievements, but their love tor and de- 
votion to the best and highest interests of 
their country, which was so well illustrat- 
ed by the heroes of 1776, in the organiza- 
tion of the society of the Cincinnati, which 
was instituted in 1783, when the army was 
disbanded. 

When the officers were about to become 
private citizens, they resolved to associate 
themselves into a society of Fi-ienda, to 
endure as long as they endured, or any of 
their male posterity. 

The principles on which the society is 
based, should be emulated by all Ameri- 
cans, "An incessant attention to preserve 
inviolate those esalted rights and liberties 
of human nature for which they fought and 
bled, and without which, the high rank of 
a national being is a curse, instead of a 
blessing." — "Au unalterable determina- 
tion to promote and cherish between the 
respective states that union and national 
honor so essentially necessary to their 
happiness, and the future dignity of the 
American empire; to render permanent 
the cordial affection subsisting among the 
officers of the allied forces." 

Since the days of our American Revolu- 
tion we have engaged as a nation, in three 
wars ; with England for the second time in 
1812-15; with Mexico, in 1846-48, and the 
Spanish American war in 1898, 

Thirteen years after the close of the 
Mexican war, on the 9rh day of January, 
1861, the first shot, of a serious rebellion 



!>8 

ia America, since the days of oar Revolu- 
tion, was fired by the forts on Morris 
Island, on the "Star of the West," in her 
attempt to cast anchor off Charleston har- 
bor, with reinforcements for Major Ander- 
son. And from that time until April 8th, 
1865, when General Lee surrendered to 
General Grant at Appomattox Court House, 
it was a question, as to whether "Old 
Glory" would continue to wave, as it had 
done up to that time, for eighty-four years, 
over a united and contented people. 

In 1898, however, all doubt was removed 
when It was moved in the Senate of the 
United States that fifty millions of dollars 
be placed at the disposal of President Mc 
Kinley to uphold the honor of our country 
in her conieet with Spain, and "Every 
Southern man in both Houses of Congress 
voted Aye." And when on the 2l8t day 
of April,1898, the order was given Admiral 
Dewey to capture or destroy the Spanish 
Fleet iu the hurbor of Manila, and on Mny 
lat, 1898, in command of the gallant little 
American Fleet be entered the harbor of 
Manila, and in a conflict to be famed in 
modern naval history, obeyed his orders 
by destroying the hostile Spanish Fleet, 
thereby manifesting the prowess of Amer- 
ica upon the sea, and earning the everlast- 
ing gratitude of the American people.— 
The world learned for the second time, 
that the American people in their love of 
country. North, South, East and West, 
were nnshakeu, and as of old were united, 
marching undsr and revering the same 

flag. 

On the morning of May Ist, 1898, when 
Admiral Dewey had arranged his fleet, and 
the sigaal given, "Remember the Maine," 
and every dees cleared for action, he 
turned to a son of "Old Mother Cumber- 
laud," then Captain, but now Admiral Ben 



59 

Lamberton, and gave the order, "Captain, 
when yon are ready, yon may fire." The 
Captain was ready. "He remembered the 
Maine," Rave the order to fire and victory 
followed. 

Jost as the Revolutionary soldiers' 
splendid courage glorified a score of battle 
fields, so the American soldier, from that 
time to this, has never faltered or failed in 
maintaining the honor and glory of the 
country. And in remembering and speak- 
ing of their valor, it is but jost that we 
gratefully remember and give honorable 
mention of the brave men of other nations 
that were in sympathy with, and rendered 
us aid in time of trouble. 

In the early atroggle of American Inde- 
pendence, a Frenchman, General Lafay- 
ette, served in the army with General 
Washington from the battle of Brandy wine, 
Semptember 11th, 1777, to the battle of 
Monmouth, June 28th, 1778, when he re- 
turned to his native land to inspire his 
countrycien with his own generous senti- 
ments for the cause of American freedom, 
and when be acain presenttd himself for 
duty in the American C»mp, he did so with 
the promise from the King of France, of 
speedy assistance by laud and sea, and in 
in July 1780, two years after the battle of 
Monmouth, u French Squadron under com- 
mand of ivl. de Ternay, with between five 
and six thousand troops, under the com- 
mand of Compt de Roohambeau, arrived at 
Newport, ready to aid the cause of Ameri- 
can freedom. 

lu 1862, a Frenchman, Compt de Paris, 
eeived in the army without pay, on the 
NtftCE of General George B, McClellan dur- 
ing the Peninsula Campaign, and in 1890 
one hundred and thirteen years after the 
battle of the Braudywine, where General 
Lafayette was wouaded, a nephew of this 



60 

illuatrioaa hero, the Marqnis de Leysterie 
visited the battle fields of the Peninsula 
and Gettysburg, and witti other distin- 
guished Frenchmen, in company with Gen- 
eral Meade's Corps Commanders met on 
the battle field of Gettysburg, and in 
harmony with them expressed their gratifi- 
cation in an unprofaned and unbroken 
union on this North American Continent. 

Holding a 2od Lieutenant's Commis- 
sion iu company "iH," Third Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry, commanded, by Col. 
W. W. Avereli, was William Edward Mil- 
ler, of Carlisle, who for bravery and effi- 
ciency was soon promoted to a captaincy, 
and because of this and his association 
with the Compt de Paris, and the Doe de 
Chartres during the Peninsula Campaign, 
and the fact that his presence was special- 
ly desired by the Compt de Paris, when he 
visited the battle field at Gettysburg in 
1890, is my explanation to Captain Miller, 
who is now acting as the honored Secre- 
tary of your Society, for using his name. 

General McClellan had every respect for, 
and confidence in the bravery and ability 
of Col. Avereli, and the officers and men of 
the 3rd Pennyslvania Cavalry, and usually 
kept this regiment near his head-qaarters, 
and frequently ordered it out on reconnoi- 
tering expeditions. Generally on such oc- 
casions tue Corapt de Paris iwould accom- 
pany it, and in this way the Compt and 
Captain Miller became warm friends. 

At the close of the campaign a coolness 
arose between the American and French 
Governments, and in consequence of this, 
the Compt de Paris, his brother, the Due 
de Chartres, and their uncle. Prince de 
Jouiville, returned to France, carrying 
with them, as after developments disclosed, 
a kindly interest in the efforts o£ our Gov- 
erment to re-establish that attachment for 



61 

the onion, as the main pillar in the ediOca 
of independence, the support of tranquil- 
ity at home, and peace abroad; of safety, 
prosperity and liberty, that suen men as 
Washington, Lafayette, Green, Moultrie, 
and others of their day, cherished for a 
nation, (the foundation of which they es- 
tablished), that has since their time, taken 
its rank high in the scale of empires. 

Twenty five years after the surrender of 
General Lee, the desire to re visit the 
battle field of the Peninsula and also learn 
something of those of Gettysburg, took 
possession of the Compt de Paris, and in 
1890, under the auspices of the Loyal 
Legion, he again visited America, in 
company with, the Due de Uzes, Due de 
Orleans, (the Gompt's sou) Captain Mor- 
hain. Col. de Parseval, Compt of Hausson- 
ville. Dr. Becamier, and Marquis de Leys- 
terie, the nephew of General Lafayette, 
the friend of the American people during 
their struggle for freedom. 

General D. Mc. M. Gregg at that time 
was Commander of the Loyal Legion of 
Pennsylvania, and received these distin- 
guished foreign visitors, in the name of 
the Loyal Legion, on their arrival in New 
York. On landing General MoClellan's 
old aid, the Compt de Paris, inquired for 
Captain Miller, and when told that he was 
alive and well, requested that he be invit- 
ed to join the party at Gettysburg. The 
invitation was at once conveyed to Captain 
Miller, who in his letter of acceptance ad- 
dressed to General Gregg, urged the Gen- 
eral to meet him in Carlisle, remain over 
night, and together they would, the next 
uturning, go to Gettysburg, meet the Compt 
and his party, also all of General Meade's 
old Corps Commanders, who were also 
guests of honor on this occasion, escorting 
the Compt and bis party over the battle 



62 

field of Gettysborg, in order, as the several 
day's engagements took place, in chaige 
of the officer in command of that portion 
of the field on that special day. 

The Compt, on his arrival in New York 
went at once by special train to the Pen- 
insula battle fields, thence to Gettys- 
burg, where on the morning of October 
15th, 1890, a line of carriages was formed, 
and Major General Butterfield, who was 
General Meade's Chief of Stafif in 1863, 
Major Generals Sloeum and Howard, with 
the Compt da Paris, occupied the first 
carriage, and escorted the party over the 
battle field of July Ist, 1863. General 
Sickels then took charge as master of 
ceremonies, and conducted the party over 
the field of the second day's fight, and as 
the several fields of battle were visited, 
the commanders of eacn corps, at the 
time of the battles, assumed charge of the 
Compt, and did the honors of the occasion, 
which was a notable one in the history of 
our country. 

On the night of July 2nd, 1863, General 
Meade's head quarters was in a little old 
log cabin on the Taneytown Pike, and 
after the several fields of the Gettysburg 
battle had been visited, and explained to 
the Compt de Paris, by the commanders 
of each corps, at the time of the engage- 
ments, the party all adjourned to General 
Meade's bead quarters in the old cabin, 
and on entering, each corp's commander, 
took the seat at the table, he occupied the 
night of July 2nd, 1883, when in council 
with their Chief, General Meade ; and he 
informed them, he had not yet decided 
upon his plan of action on the following 
3rd day of July, and desired their views. 
The distinguished French visitors and 
their friends, including Captain William 
Edward Miller, of Carlisle, assembled 



around the room, with the Compt de Paria 
standing in one corner, an earnest observ- 
er of all that was passing, and as each 
corp's Commander repeated, as near as he 
could remember, the answer given Gener- 
al Meade, not a word was spoken by this 
earnest party of lookers-on, until the con- 
sensus of opinion was reached, and stated, 
when the Compt de Paris modestly step- 
ping a little to the front, remarked, — 

"Yes Gentlemen, what you have said is 
all true, but General Meade had to assume 
the responsibility." The French charac- 
ter never appeared with more true lustre 
than it did on this memorable occasion, a 
record of which should be treasured in the 
archives of your association. 

Carlisle and the Cumberland Valley has 
never failed, when occasion required the 
services of loyal and brave men to uphold 
the honor and integrity of the Nation, to 
furnish their full quota, and the citizens 
of this Valley, H.nd the great Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, have reason to 
ever remember with pride, the services of 
the late General R. M. Henderson, who, 
when the Pennsylvania Reserves were 
called to the front in 1861, left his office 
and a lucrative practice, in response to 
the call of the Government for troops. 
His integrity of heart and life were ac- 
knowledged and admired, and his bravery 
as a soldier unquestioned. From child- 
hood to old age, temperance, industry, 
sincerity, benevolence, honor and truth, 
guided his conduct. He was a valuable 
citizen, an accomplished lawyer, and 
judge, and should ever be remembered as 
among those worthies who have won by 
their virtues and their talents, an imper- 
ishable name. 

Then there was the late Captain James 
L. Colwell, who was killed at Antietam, 



64 

and the late Captain R. C. Smead, who 
took an active part in nearly every en- 
gagement in the Mexican War; their 
memories should never be allowed to 
shine from afar, like the stars of other 
systems, whose cheering warmth and use- 
ful light are lost in the distance. 

When men and principles must be tried 
at the bar of public opinion, as in our 
country, it is not just that they should 
struggle through a life of anxious toil and 
unfaltering patriotism, waiting for the 
hand of death, to secure proper recogni- 
tion of their integrity and talents. I 
shall therefore say for two of Carlisle's 
distinguished living, Admiral Ben Lam- 
berton, and Captain William E Miller, 
whose military services are without re- 
proach, and whose loyalty and bravery, 
no man dare question, that their names 
are interwoven with the history of the 
United States, and their portraits should 
grace a prominent place in our National 
Portrait Gallery. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE CHART OF THE BAT- 
TLEFIELD OP BRANDYWINE. 

This photograph was taken from the 
original chart of the Battlefield of Brandy- 
wine, made by Mojor George Stevenson, 
who was then, September lltb, 1777, a 
Lieutenant in the 1st Pennsylvania Regi- 
ment, commanded by Col. James Cham- 
bers,of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, who 
was wounded in the engagement. 

The Penna. Division, which included 
the '^4th Reg't, 8th Keg't, 10th Reg't, 5th 
Reg'^t, 3rd Reg't, 2nd Reg't, 11th Reg't, 
7th Reg't, and 1st Reg't, was command- 
ed by General Wayne,:and the first Brig- 
ado by Col. Wearthley. 

Age has nearly obliterated the Park of 
Artillery of eight guns in the lower left 



63 

band corner of the chart, oommauded by 
Col. Proctor. 

On the road leading to Chester, stands 
two field guns of Col. Proctor's command, 
commanded by Captain Courtney. These 
are the guns rescued by Major George 
Stevenson under a galling fire of grape 
and canister. 

The spot where General Lafayette was 
wounded, also where Major Bush was 
killed, is marked thus "X" on the chart. 
The only copy of this chart ever made, 
prior to the taking of this photograph, 
was the one made by Major George Stev- 
enson, and presented to General Lafay- 
ette, at the celebration of the 48th anni- 
versary of the battle, September 11th, 
1825, eighty two years ago this September 
llrh. 1907. 

When the disasters of the campaign of 
1776 were made known in Pans, and the 
plan of sending from France to America 
an armed vessel with munitions was 
abandoned, and the American Commis- 
sioners, Dean Dr. Franklin and Arthur 
Lee, told Lafayette that tbey could not in 
conscience urge him to proceed with his 
project to aid America, his reply was, — 
'•My seal and love of liberty have perhaps 
hitherto been the prevailing motive with 
me, but now I see a chance of usefulness, 
which 1 bad not anticipated. These sup- 
plies I know are greatly wanted by Con- 
gress. I have money; I will purchase a 
vessel to convey them to America, and in 
this vessel my companions and myself will 
take passage. 

On his arrival in this country, with 
Baron de Kalb, be at onco tendered his 
services to Congress, on the condition of 
serving withoot pay or emolument, and on 
the footing of a volunteer, and Congress 
learning of hie high ooonectioas and bis 



66 

large means of aaefalaess, wicboat delay 
gave him a commission of Major General 
in the American Army. He was then but 
nineteen years and eleven months old. 

General Washington entertained for 
General Lafayette the highest opinion, re- 
garding bim with the tenderness of a 
father, and found in the affection Lafay- 
ette bore for bim one of the greatest com- 
forts and blessings of his life. 

Among the foreign officers engaged in 
the battle of the Brandywine besides 
Lafayette, who was wounded in the leg 
during the action, were General Deborre, 
a French officer; General Conway, an 
Irishman, who had served in France; 
Captain Louis Fluery, a French engineer; 
and Count Pulaski, a Polish nobleman, 
subsequently distinguished as a command- 
er of cavalry. 

On the morning of the 11th of Septem- 
ber, the British advanced in two columns; 
the right, under General Enyphansen, 
marched straight to Chad's Ford; the left, 
under Coruwallis, accompanied by Howe 
and Generals Grey, Grant and Agnew, 
proceeded by a circuitous route towards a 
point named the Forks, where the two 
branches of the Brandywine unite, with a 
view to turn the right of the Americans 
to gain the rear. 

General Knyphausen's van soon found 
itself opposed to the light troop under 
General Maxwell, but Knyphausen rein- 
forced his advance guard, and drove the 
Americans across the rivulet, to shelter 
themselves under their batteries on the 
north bank, and while his artillery, which 
was placed ou the most advantageous 
points, was contesting with the American 
batteries on the heights beyond the ford, 
the left wing of the British crossed the 
fords above the Forks. . 



07 

After passing the Fords, Cornwallistook 
the road to Dilworth, which led him on 
the American right, guarded by General 
Sullivan from the heights above Birming- 
ham Church, his left extending to the 
Brandywine, his artillery well placed, 
with his right flank covered by woods. 

About four o'clock in the afternoon 
Comwallis formed the line of battle and 
began the attack; forsometime the Ameri- 
cans sustained it with intrepidity, but at 
length gave way. 

General Green was ordered by Washing- 
ton, with a brigade, to support General 
Sullivan, and after marching four miles in 
forty-two minutes, reached the scene of 
action only to find General Sullivan's 
division defeated, and in confusion. He 
covered the retreat however, and, after 
some time, finding an advantageous posi- 
tion, renewed the battle, and arrested the 
progress of the enemy. 

General Knyphausen, hearing the firing 
of Comwallis' division, forced the passage 
of Chad's Ford, compelled the troops 
opposing him to make a precipitate and 
disorderly retreat, and General Washing- 
ton with the part of the aimy which he 
was able to keep together, retired to 
Chester, where he halted, within eight 
miles of the British army, till the next 
morning, when he retreated to Philadel- 
phia. 

Qonerul Howe stated his loss to be less 
than one hundred killed, and four hundred 
wouiided. This official report was untrue. 

His loss at the Upper Ford, under com- 
mand of Lieutenant Lord Comwallis was: 

2Qd Regiment British Guards; 2od Regi- 
ment Light Infantry, numbering 1,740,— 
612 killed and wounded; 2ad Bngrade 
British Foot, 2,240,— killed and wounded 
was 360. 



68 

1st DivisioD Hessians, 800 strong, was 
70 killed and wonnded, 

Ferguson's Riflemen, 80 strong, was 46 
killed and wounded. 

Total strength, 4,860, and of this number 
1,088 was killed and wounded. 

At Middle Ford, under command of 
Major General Grey, there was the 2nd 
Battalion Guatds, 500 strong; 2ad Battal- 
ion 2ad Highlanders, 700 strong, and the 
2nd Battalion 70th Highlanders, 700. To- 
tal force 1,900. 

At the Lower Ford, under the command 
of Lieutenant General Knyphansen, there 
was the 2nd Brigade, consisting of the 4tb, 
5th, 10th, 15th, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 40th, 44th 
and 55th regiments,— 2,240 stroug, and of 
this force 580 were killed and wonnded. 

Heesians 800,-28 killed and wounded. 
Queen's Rangsrs 480,-290 killed and 
wounded. 

This command was 3,520 strong, and of 
this number 898 were killed and wounded. 

The whole British force was 10,280 

The total killed and wounded 1,986 



Total efficient men after the battle. ..8,294 

Part Description of the Irvine Photo • 
GRAPH Presented by Irvine Mahon. 

General William Irvine, was born in 
Enniskillen, Ireland, November 3, 1741, 
and died in Puiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 
July 27, 1804. 

John Irwin was born in Auchnaehcloy, 
County Tyrone, Ireland in 1746, and died 
in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1830. 

John de Irwin or Irwyu went from 
Shapinka, in the Orkneys, to Aberdeen in 
Scotland, in the 13th century and settled 
at Castle Drum, on the River Dee, called 
Drum Oak. 

At the battle of Bannockburn, an Irwin 



G9 

saved the life of Robert the Bruce; for 
this and other services he was honored 
with the Bruce Coat of Arms, Three Holly 
Leaves. 

General William Irvine, was married to 
Miss Ann Callendar, whose parents resid- 
ed in or near Middlesex, Cumberland 
county, Pennsylvania. They had nine 
children,— Callendar, Ann, William Neill, 
Armstrong, Elizabeth, Mary B., Rebecca, 
James and John. 

Callendar, his son, had but one, the late 
Dr. Wm. A. Irvine, who by his marriage 
had two daughters and one son. The son 
died before reaching manhood. His 
daughter Margaret, married Thomas M. 
Biddle, of Carlisle, and Sarah Duncan 
married Dr. Thomas Newbold. 

John Irwin, Qen'l Irvine's cousin, had 
six children,— John Scull, Agnes Mary, 
William Wallace, Francis Mason, David 
and Eliza. 

His daughter, Agnes Mary Irwin, was 
twice married. Her first husband was 
William liobe, of New York, an officer of 
the United States Artillery, July 6, 1825. 
He died in Washington City, November 
22, 1825. The result of this marriage was 
one son, William J. Rose, who married the 
daughter of Dr. David N. Mahon, of Car- 
lisle. He died, ( W. J. Rose) in New York 
April 6, 1871, leaving a widow and five 
children. 

Her second marriage was to John Dun- 
can Mahon, January 17, 1833. He died 
July 3,1861. The result of this marriage 
was two sons and four daughters,— Agnes 
Irwin, Irwin, Francis Everallyn, James 
Duncan, Mary Lfe and Sophia Irwin. 

John Duncan Mahon's first wife was a 
daughter of the Hon. Thomas Duncan, of 
Carlisle, with whom he read law. He was 
born in Pittsburg, November 5, 1796, and 



70 

graduated at Dicklaaon College, Carliale, 
in 1814 with honor. He was the oldest 
son of the Rev. Samuel Mahon, who mar- 
ried Anna Dancan, a sister ofe Judge 
Duncan. His sister, Mary, married Rich- 
ard Henry Lee, of WashinRton, D. C, and 
his daughter, Mary, married Francis Light- 
foot Lee, eon of Richard Henry Lee. By 
his first marriage he had four children, — 
Ann Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Martha 
and John Duncan. Ann Duncan married 
Thomas Sutton, a lawyer of Clarion, 
Claion county, Pennsylvania, and Martha 
married Dr. John Scull Irwin, of Pitts- 
burgh, Pa. 

William Wallace Irwin, was first mai- 
ried to Francis Everallyn Smith, of New 
i'ork City, September 24, 1829, by the 
Rev. Robert Bruce, D. D. She died Feb- 
ruary 24, 1836. His second marriage was 
to Sophia Arabella Bache, of Washington, 
D. C, February 28, 1839. By the first 
marriage there were four children, Francis 
Mason, John, Charlotte Wyman, and Wil- 
liam. By the second marriage there were 
five children,— Agnes, Richard Biddle, 
Sophia Dallas, Robert Walker, and Mary 
Bache,— making nine in all. 

His son, John, whose mother was Fran- 
cis Everallyn Smith, was Admiral John 
Irwin of the United States Navy. 

Agnes, whose mother was Sophia Ara- 
bella Bache, is now, October, 1907, Dean 
of Radcliff College, and the great grand- 
daughter of Benjamin Franklin. 

In 1759, the degree of Doctor of Laws 
was conferrred upon Franklin by the St. 
Andrews Univereity, of Scotland. On tho 
17 day of April, 1906, at the Bi-centen- 
uial Celebration of the birth of Franklin, 
in the city of Philadelphia, Andrew Car- 
negie as Lord Rector of St. Andrews Uni- 
versity of Scotland, conferred this sftme 



71 



degree, Doctor of Laws, npon Mies Agnes 
Irwin. 

This honor is one, which from the first 
has been bestowed only for personal 
achievement, and was not granted in this 
case upon any other ground than that of 
Miss Irwin's own services and merits. She 
is the I'ourth woman in the academic his- 
tory of St. Andrew's to have this degree 
conferred upon her, and on this account 
the distinction is all the more noteworthy. 

After the Red Hood of St. Andrew's was 
placed upon Miss Irwin, greetings from the 
world followed in quick succession. 

First in order was the address of Mr. 
Carnegie, representing St. Andrews of 
Scotland. 

Second,— Rev. William Paterson, rep- 
resenting the University of Edinburgh; 
Third, — President Elliott of Harvard ; 
Fourth.— President Hadley of Yale; Fifth, 
— Alois Brandi, of the University of Ber- 
lin ; Sixth, — Dr. H. A. Lorenz, of Batavia, 
Holland, who delivered his address in 
Dutch, and others of equal renown. Dr. 
Samuel G. Dixon, represented the 
Academy of Natural Sciences, of Phila- 
delphia. 

Irvine, Irwin, Irving, Erwin, Irwyn or 
Erinvine, is all one and the same name, 
regardless of bow you find it spelled. 



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